Demeclocycline is an orally administered antibiotic in the tetracycline family. It functions by inhibiting bacterial growth. The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has made demeclocycline less effective as an antibiotic treatment. Even so, the medication has shown success in treating low blood sodium, a medical condition known as hyponatremia. The medication has mild side effects and should not be taken by certain individuals.
Demeclocycline, like other tetracycline antibiotics, functions by inhibiting bacterial growth. This action is achieved when the medication binds to the bacteria's RNA. The bacteria can no longer undergo protein synthesis, making reproduction impossible. When the current generation of bacteria dies off naturally, the infection is over and the patient cured. The overuse of tetracyclines and other antibiotics in the past few decades, though, has had unintended consequences.
Given the right conditions, a bacteria can reproduce in as little as 10 minutes. This rapid reproduction eventually causes a host of minute genetic variations. Like all forms of evolution, some changes are more beneficial than others. Traditional antibiotics such as demeclocycline became ineffective over time as a few bacteria with genetic variations were resistant to the drug. These surviving bacteria grew into new strains, all impervious to traditional antibiotics.
Though demeclocycline has fallen out of favor as an antibiotic, the medication found new life as a successful treatment for hyponatremia. Increasing blood sodium levels was originally a side effect of the medication, witnessed in patients receiving treatment for bacterial infection. When given to a patient with low blood sodium, the antibiotic works by impeding the body's ability to expel sodium through the urinary tract. Since 1978, demeclocycline has been the preferred drug of choice when treating hyponatremia.
Whether an individual receives demeclocycline as a treatment for a bacterial infection or hyponatremia, side effects outside of reduced elimination of sodium can occur. Certain individuals may experience sunburn or other skin irritation even after limited exposure to sunlight. The medication also becomes ineffective if eaten with foods containing calcium, iron, or magnesium. This side effect occurs as the active compounds in the medication bind to these elements. It is recommended that patients take the medication on an empty stomach, preferably before going to sleep.
Like all medications, certain individuals cannot take demeclocycline. Physicians will not prescribe the medication to pregnant women due to possible side effects on the unborn child. Though not prohibited by any law, most physicians avoid prescribing the medication to children; it can stain teeth and cause developmental disorders of the skeletal system.