Doxycycline Medical Information

• Doxycycline uses
• Doxycycline dosage
• Doxycycline side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Missed dose
• Overdose

Common Brand Names: Doryx, Doxy, Vibramycin

Generic Name: Doxycycline

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Common Medical Uses:
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic. This drug is used against a wide variety of bacterial infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other fevers caused by ticks, fleas, and lice; urinary tract infections; trachoma; and some gonococcal infections in adults. It is an approved treatment for inhalational anthrax. It is also used with other medications to treat severe acne and amoebic dysentery (diarrhea caused by severe parasitic infection of the intestines). Doxycycline may also be taken for the prevention of malaria on foreign trips of less than 4 months' duration. Occasionally doctors prescribe doxycycline to treat early Lyme disease and to prevent "traveler's diarrhea." These are not yet officially approved uses for this medication. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria.

How to Use Doxycycline:
Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets or capsules whole with a full glass of water; take tablets or capsules in an upright or sitting position. If possible take bedtime doses at least 10 minutes before lying down. It is best to take doxycycline without food, but if it upsets your stomach take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Take all the medication until you are finished, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Doxycycline Possible Side Effects:
Although side effects from Doxycycline are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• sore mouth
• rectal or genital itch

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, stop taking Doxycycline and call your doctor as soon as possible:

• dark yellow or brown urine
• severe headache
• blurred vision
• skin rash
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• redness of the skin (sunburn)
• itching
• stomach pain or cramps
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• confusion
• decreased urination
• yellowing of eyes or skin

Doxycycline Warnings & Precautions:

• Don't take if: you have ever had an allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.
• Before taking Doxycycline, tell your doctor or/and pharmacist:
• if you have kidney or liver disease, patients with severe kidney disease may have an increased chance of side effects
• if you have lupus
• if you have myasthenia gravis
• if you have diabete
• Skin & sunlight: May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or ultraviolet light. Avoid overexposure. Notify doctor if reaction occurs.
• Driving, piloting or hazardous work: No problems expected
• Pregnancy: Risk category D. Risk to unborn child outweighsdrug benefits. Don't use.
• Breast feeding: Drug passesinto milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medication. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.
• Discontinuing: Don't discontinue without consulting doctor until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
• Do not take doxycycline just before going to bed. It may not dissolve properly when you are lying down and can cause pain in your throat.
• Avoid using outdated drug. It can make you seriously ill.
• Birth control pills may not be effectiv. Use additional birth control method.

Drug Interactions:
Tell your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
The following drugs may interact with Doxycycline:

• Antacids (decreased Doxycycline effect)
• Anticoagulants, oral (increased anticoagulant effect)
• Antivirals (decreased antibiotic effect)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Calcium supplements (decreased doxycycline effect)
• Cefixime (decreased antibiotic effect of cefixime)
• Cholestyramine or colestipol (decreased doxycycline effect)
• Contraceptives, oral (decreased contraceptive effect)
• Desmopressin (possible decreased desmopressin effect)
• Digitalis preparations (increased digitalis effect)
• Etretinate (increased chance of adverse reactions of etretinate)
• Lithium (increased lithium effect)
• Mineral supplements (iron, calcium, magnesiun, zinc) (decreased doxycycline absorption, separate doses by 1 to 2 hours)
• Panicillins (decreased penicillin effect)
• Sodium bicarbonate (greatly reduced doxycycline absorption)
• Vitamin A (increased risk of intracranial hypertension)

Possible interactions with other substances:

• Alcohol - possible liver damage, avoid.

Missed Dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't double the dose.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea..

See also:

• Doxycycline
• Buying Doxycycline without a prescritpion