Brief Answer:
Bacterial resistance is rare if taken regularly as prescribed, some other potential side effects and precautions explained below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,

I read your query in details and understand your concern with long term use of antibiotics.

If tetracycline is used regularly and as it should, even if used for a long time, generally does not increase the risk of bacterial resistance. On the other hand, any medication has potential side effects and the use for long times makes these side effects even more likely.

Tetracycline may cause stomach upset and even bowel problems. Normally, you need to take them with an empty stomach and not eat for at least 1 hour, so that the absorption of the drug is not compromised. This in itself may make stomach pain even worse. You should not take them with coffee or milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.

Tetracycline interacts with many drugs, so before you use any drug you will need to confirm with your doctor if this medication interacts with tetracycline or not.

Furthermore, tetracycline may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and cause severe sunburn that would not normally happen with you. You will need to avoid sun exposure as much as you can during the time you use it.

These are a few cautions with the use of tetracycline but this is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects (there are many other potential side effects, I addressed the most common ones).

As for folliculitis, if it is chronic, antibiotics for some weeks are sometimes tried (minocycline is similar to tetracycline but is better tolerated).On the other hand, antibiotics are not found so effective in many patients. Generally, chronic folliculitis is self-limiting and fades on its own in a couple of years.

You should discuss all this information with your dermatologist and decide together on further treatment.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

---

Brief Answer:
Not known to affect the stamina but may cause fatigue and sunburns

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Tetracycline is not well known as a drug that affects the stamina. Tetracycline may cause fatigue in some patients and thus may affect the sportive performance but this is not a very common side effect.

It is very important for athletes to know that tetracycline may cause severe photosensitivity and related sunburn if these sportive activities are outside (not in a covered environment).

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

---