Tetracyclines By Brian J Werth, PharmD, University of Washington School of Pharmacy Reviewed / Revised May 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Pharmacokinetics Indications Contraindications Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Adverse Effects Dosing Considerations Topic Resources Mechanisms of Action: Protein... Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic antibiotics that bind to the 30S subunit of the ribosome, thus inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.