Tetracycline should be taken only by people to whom it was prescribed and is efficient in the treatment of urinary tract infections and a number of other conditions as advised by your health care provider. Unless your health care provider recommended otherwise you should take this drug at least one hour before meals and two hours after, on an empty stomach. You can take it with a glass of water, just make sure you are not drinking milk to wash down the tablet. Milk can make tetracycline less efficient by slowing down its absorption. There is no need to get worried if you happen to experience any of the following mild side effects of tetracycline: sore mouth or lips, diarrhea, vomiting, vaginal itching or vaginal discharge, stomach upset, mild nausea, and swollen tongue. You don’t have to get worried because in most cases they just go away after a couple of hours, however, keep monitoring your condition and if these symptoms do not go away report them to your doctor: Make sure you report serious side effects you get to your doctor over the phone or in person. To understand the difference between the serious and mild side effects you may want to read the patient information leaflet that goes with your medicine. The following symptoms are considered to be serious side effects: blistering and red skin rash, loss of appetite, pale skin, peeling, trouble breathing, easy bleeding and bruising, severe stomach pain, chills and body aches, blurred vision unusual weakness, fever, flu-like symptoms, and confusion.