Meclocycline sulfosalicylate is a salt prepared from demeclocycline taking advantage of the basic dimethylamino group which protonates and readily forms a salt in solution with 2-hydroxy-3-carboxybenenesulphonic acid. Like all tetracyclines, meclocycline shows broad spectrum antibacterial and antiprotozoan activity and acts by binding to the 30S and 50S ribosomal sub-units, blocking protein synthesis. The unusual complex counter-ion is likely to add an antiseptic component to the use of the compound for skin infections.