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Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth and is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Doxycycline is used for bacterial infections, including acne , rosacea , urinary and respiratory tract infections, eye infections, gum disease, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Doxycycline can also be used to prevent malaria and treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.
Doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate are two different salt forms of doxycycline available; one difference between the two is that doxycycline hyclate is soluble in water, while doxycycline monohydrate is very slightly soluble in water.
Doxycycline 100mg, 75mg, and 50mg are the most common strengths of capsules and tablets available. It is also available as an injection, suspension, or syrup.
Indications
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth and is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Doxycycline is used for bacterial infections, including acne , rosacea , urinary and respiratory tract infections, eye infections, gum disease, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Doxycycline can also be used to prevent malaria and treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.
Doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate are two different salt forms of doxycycline available; one difference between the two is that doxycycline hyclate is soluble in water, while doxycycline monohydrate is very slightly soluble in water.
Doxycycline 100mg, 75mg, and 50mg are the most common strengths of capsules and tablets available. It is also available as an injection, suspension, or syrup.
Contraindications
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or tigecycline.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease; kidney disease; asthma or sulfite allergy; increased pressure inside your skull; or if you also take isotretinoin, seizure medicine, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).
If you are using this medicine to treat chlamydia, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have gonorrhea, another sexually transmitted disease.
Taking this medicine during pregnancy may affect tooth and bone development in the unborn baby. Taking this antibiotic during the last half of pregnancy can cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
This antibiotic can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.
This medicine can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. The extent of absorption is unknown. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine.
Children should not use this medicine. Doxycycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of teeth in children younger than 8 years old.
Children should use this antibiotic only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions such as anthrax, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The benefit of treating a serious condition may outweigh any risks to the child's tooth development.
Side Effects
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Doxycycline, which give rise to further complications include Staining of developing teeth, Hypoplasia of enamel. Doxycycline produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Pseudomembranous colitis, Anaphylaxis, Liver damage, which are responsible for the discontinuation of Doxycycline therapy. The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute over dosage of Doxycycline include GI disturbances. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Doxycycline are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Anorexia, Skin reactions, Skin rashes, Maculopapular rash, Urticaria, Vaginitis, Photosensitivity, Glossitis, Stomatitis, Hemolytic anemia, Dysphagia, Erythematous rash, Pericarditis, Exfoliative dermatitis, GI disturbance, Anaphylactoid purpura.
Warnings
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.
Children younger than 8 years old should use this medicine only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children.
Using this medicine during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.
High Risk Groups
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.
Children younger than 8 years old should use this medicine only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children.
Using this medicine during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.
Adult Dosage
100 mg (100 (100)) 24 hourly PO — Maintenance, As Required
200 mg (200 (200)) As recommended. PO — On first day.
Scraped Dose — Take this antibiotic exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take tablets or capsules with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.
Most brands of this medicine may be taken with food or milk if they upset your stomach. Different brands of doxycycline may have different instructions about taking them with or without food.
Take Oracea brand on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
You may open a regular capsule or break up a regular tablet and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of cool water right away to avoid the risk of esophageal irritation.
You may need to split a regular doxycycline tablet to get the correct dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule or tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you take this medicine to prevent malaria, start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave the area. Use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
this antibiotic is given by injection only if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth. A healthcare provider will give you this injection as an infusion into a vein.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Doxycycline will not treat viral infections such as the flu or a common cold.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this antibiotic.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed. Using expired doxycycline can cause damage to your kidneys.
Child Dosage
( ) — Not recommended in this age group
Neonatal Dosage
( ) — Not recommended in this age group
Drug Interactions
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.
Also, see the ‘What to avoid’ section.
Other drugs may interact with doxycycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. Click on the link below to check for other interactions with doxycycline
Storage
Inj (reconstituted soln) Store . Protect from Sunlight. Oral Syrup or Susp Store at room temperature. Do not Freeze. Protect from Sunlight. Tab, Caps Store Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight.
