Rolitetracycline nitrate is an antibiotic formed by N-aminomethylation of the carboxamide group of tetracycline. Rolitetracycline passively diffuses through porin channels in the bacterial membrane and reversibly binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing binding of tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex, and thus interfering with protein synthesis. It is formulated for intravenous or intramuscular injections and is used in cases requiring high concentrations or when oral administration is impractical. In combinations with chloramphenicol and colistin, it is used as the eye drops for the treatment of external eye infections such as catarrhal conjunctivitis, purulent, trachoma, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, bacterial keratitis, septic corneal ulcers.