Tetracyclines are calcium chelating agents. Because of this, in a developing fetus or child they will bind to calcium deposits, namely teeth and bones. This can cause blue-black discoloration of teeth, and is contraindicated in pregnant mothers for this reason or in children under 8 years of age. Additionally, this same chemical property of binding to calcium is why certain divalent cations (Calcium, magnesium, iron [Fe2+]) prevent absorption of tetrayclines, and so medicines with these ions (antacids, iron supplementation) should be timed not to interfere with absorption.
submitted by โsajaqua1(607)
Tetracyclines are calcium chelating agents. Because of this, in a developing fetus or child they will bind to calcium deposits, namely teeth and bones. This can cause blue-black discoloration of teeth, and is contraindicated in pregnant mothers for this reason or in children under 8 years of age. Additionally, this same chemical property of binding to calcium is why certain divalent cations (Calcium, magnesium, iron [Fe2+]) prevent absorption of tetrayclines, and so medicines with these ions (antacids, iron supplementation) should be timed not to interfere with absorption.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15485524