Would it be REALLY bad to "accidentally" take 500mg instead of a prescribed 250mg of my tetracycline meds?

Question

Hey guys, I currently take 250mg of a tetracycline pill for acne. My acne for some reason got really bad last nite and i got quite a bit, but i was wondering if i took 500mg instead of the prescribed 250, would there be any SERIOUS side effects? would it help if i did it for just one night? Thanks.

Answer 1

You'll be fine. Taking just one extra dose will not be harmful. If it was a blood pressure medication or a heart medication ( depending on the dose) then, yes, it may cause harmful effects.

* Be sure to take it with a full glass of water, take it on a empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.

* Do not take it with milk or other dairy products as it can make it harder for your body to absorb the medicine.

* Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds, without a sunscreen.  

  It can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight and

  may result in you getting sunburned.

* Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, Calcium supplements

  antacids or laxatives within two hours before or after taking the

  Tetracycline.  

I found a great website that is easy to understand, check it out:

http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/tetr...

I hope that this is helpful and again, you'll be fine.    

Answer 2

Taking single extra dose of a drug for anything is not help or harmful either.

Answer 3

no, you should never take more than whats prescribed.. .ever heard of overdose... :S

keep taking your regular prescription, and wash your face in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed.

good luck :)

Answer 4

Tetracycline is an antibiotic. Taking an extra one isn't going to do a thing for you. It isn't going to make anything any better quicker. it could make you nauseous, or get diarrhea.

you have been prescribed a certain amount, and that is what you should take. Remember, do not take this med with milk, as it will block the affects of the Tetracycline.

Answer 5

Antibiotics have different dosage forms for a reason. If you take more than what's prescribed, in your case, you plan to take 500mg instead of 250mg, that will be double your dose. 1st, you get twice the chance of worsened side effects and 2nd, you risk yourself in having antibiotic resistance later on. Please follow the doctor's prescription.

Answer 6

You should never take more than the prescribed dose of any medication without dr's approval.  The fact is it may not harm you but it may not help you either if you take an extra dose now and then.  You need to find out how the drug works before taking it upon yourself.  A phone call to a dr. only takes a minute, so please do so. Take care.