Lymecycline

Lymecycline is a tetracycline broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is approximately 5,000 times more soluble than tetracycline base and is unique amongst tetracyclines in that it is absorbed by an active transport process across the intestinal wall, making use of the same fast and efficient mechanism by which carbohydrates are absorbed.^[1]

Lymecycline

Clinical data
Trade names	Tetralysal
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	By mouth
ATC code	J01AA04 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	100% (oral)
Elimination half-life	10 hours
Excretion	Kidney
Identifiers
IUPAC name (2S)-6-[[[(Z)-[(4S,4aS,5aS,6S,12aS) -4-(Dimethylamino)-6,10,11,12a-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,12-trioxo-4,4a,5,5a-tetrahydrotetracen-2-ylidene]-hydroxymethyl]amino]methylamino]-2-aminohexanoic acid
CAS Number	992-21-2 Y
PubChem CID	54707177
DrugBank	DB00256 Y
ChemSpider	20121315 N
UNII	7D6EM3S13P
KEGG	D06884 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9045344
ECHA InfoCard	100.012.357
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C29H38N4O10
Molar mass	602.641 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES C[C@@]1([C@H]2C[C@H]3[C@@H](C(=C(C(=O)[C@]3(C(=C2C(=O)C4=C1C=CC=C4O)O)O)C(=O)NCNCCCC[C@@H](C(=O)O)N)O)N(C)C)O
InChI InChI=1S/C29H38N4O10/c1-28(42)13-7-6-9-17(34)18(13)22(35)19-14(28)11-15-21(33(2)3)23(36)20(25(38)29(15,43)24(19)37)26(39)32-12-31-10-5-4-8-16(30)27(40)41/h6-7,9,14-16,21,31,34,36-37,42-43H,4-5,8,10-12,30H2,1-3H3,(H,32,39)(H,40,41)/t14-,15-,16-,21-,28+,29-/m0/s1 N Key:AHEVKYYGXVEWNO-UEPZRUIBSA-N N
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

The greater absorption of lymecycline allows for lower dosages to be used; the standard dose of 408 mg is equivalent to 300 mg tetracycline base and, in its action, to 500 mg tetracycline hydrochloride. Lymecycline, unlike tetracycline hydrochloride, is soluble at all physiological pH values.^{[citation needed]}

History

Lymecycline was introduced by Farmitalia in 1963.^{[citation needed]}

Indications

Lymecycline, like other tetracyclines, is used to treat a range of infections. ^{[citation needed]}

Acne

Its better absorption profile makes it preferable to tetracycline for moderately severe acne and typically prescribed for 8 weeks at a time, but alternatives should be sought if no improvement occurs by 3 months.^[2]

Lymecycline capsules

Side effects

Lymecycline's side effects can include rash, headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, inflammation of the liver, hypersensitive reactions, and visual disturbances. When taken for a long period of time, it can cause reflux oesophagitis.^[3] Recently, the family of tetracycline antibiotics has been associated with thyroid dysfunction in youth.^[4]

See also

• Timeline of antibiotics