The Tetracyclines

Abstract

Many tetracyclines with a similar chemical structure and virtually the same spectrum of antimicrobial activity have become available since their introduction in 1948. A vast literature on them has sprung up and a number of detailed accounts of the tetracyclines and their development have been published (Kucers, 1972; Garrod et al., 1973; Murdoch, 1974). The most commonly used members of the tetracycline group are: tetracycline itself (the parent compound), Oxytetracycline, Chlortetracycline, demeclocycline (demethylchlortetracycline), and in more recent years, lymecycline, rolitetracycline, methacycline, clomocycline (chlormethylencycline), doxycycline and minocycline. While there are some individual differences between the various agents, they can be considered as a group.