Doxycycline

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Doxycycline
Brand names: Adoxa, Doryx, Doxy Lemmon, Doxy-Caps, Doxy-D, Monodox, Oracea, Periostat, Vibra-Tabs, Vibramycin
Related Medical Conditions: Acne, Bronchitis, Brucellosis, Clamidiosis, Malaria, Mycoplasmosis, Periodontitis, Pneumonia
Related Groups: Antibiotic

Doxycycline Articles

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body. Doxycycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, periodontitis (gum disease), and others. It is also used to prevent malaria.

Doxycycline Usage and Dosage

Doxycycline comes as a regular and a coated capsule, a tablet, a syrup, and a suspension (liquid), all to take by mouth. Doxycycline usually is taken once or twice a day. Drink a full glass of water with each dose of the capsule or tablet. If your stomach becomes upset when you take doxycycline, you may take it with food or milk. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take doxycycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the syrup or suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

If you are taking doxycycline for the prevention of malaria, start taking it 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where there is malaria. Continue taking doxycycline for 4 weeks after leaving the area where there is malaria. You should not take doxycycline for the prevention of malaria for more than 4 months.

Continue to take doxycycline even if you feel well. Take all the medication until you are finished, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

The dose of doxycycline will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of doxycycline. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking doxycycline.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, suspension, and tablets):
  • For bacterial or protozoal infections:
    • Adults and children older than 8 years of age who weigh more than 45 kilograms (kg) (99 pounds)—100 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours the first day, then 100 mg once a day or 50 to 100 mg every twelve hours.
    • Children older than 8 years of age who weigh 45 kg (99 pounds) or less—Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 2.2 mg per kg (1 mg per pound) of body weight two times a day on the first day, then 2.2 to 4.4 mg per kg (1 to 2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day or 1.1 to 2.2 mg per kg (0.5 to 1 mg per pound) of body weight twice a day.
    • Infants and children 8 years of age and younger—Tetracyclines are usually not used in young children because tetracyclines can permanently stain teeth.
  • For the prevention of malaria:
    • Adults and teenagers—100 mg once a day. You should take the first dose one or two days before travel to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout travel and for four weeks after you leave the malarious area.
    • Children older than 8 years of age—Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 2 mg per kg (0.9 mg per pound) of body weight once a day. You should take the first dose one or two days before travel to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout travel and for four weeks after you leave the malarious area.
    • Infants and children 8 years of age and younger—Tetracyclines are usually not used in young children because tetracyclines can permanently stain teeth.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For bacterial or protozoal infections:
    • Adults and children older than 8 years of age who weigh more than 45 kg of body weight (99 pounds)—200 mg injected slowly into a vein once a day; or 100 mg injected slowly into a vein every twelve hours the first day, then 100 to 200 mg injected slowly into a vein once a day or 50 to 100 mg injected slowly into a vein every twelve hours.
    • Children older than 8 years of age who weigh 45 kg of body weight (99 pounds) or less—Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 4.4 mg per kg (2 mg per pound) of body weight injected slowly into a vein once a day; or 2.2 mg per kg (1 mg per pound) of body weight injected slowly into a vein every twelve hours the first day, then 2.2 to 4.4 mg per kg (1 to 2 mg per pound) of body weight once a day, or 1.1 to 2.2 per kg (0.5 to 1 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours.
    • Infants and children 8 years of age and younger—Tetracyclines are usually not used in young children because tetracyclines can permanently stain teeth.

The dose of doxycycline periodontal system will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of doxycycline periodontal system.

• For dental dosage form:
  • For antibacterial (dental):
    • Adults—Doxycycline periodontal system is placed by your dentist into one or more deep gum pockets next to your teeth. A dental dressing or adhesive will be placed on top to help keep the system in place. The treatment may be repeated four months later.
    • Infants and children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended. Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, can permanently discolor teeth.
    • Children 8 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your dentist.

Doxycycline Side Effects

Doxycycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• itching of the rectum or vagina
• sore mouth

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe headache
• blurred vision
• skin rash
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• redness of the skin (sunburn)
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• itching
• dark-colored urine
• light-colored bowel movements
• loss of appetite
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• confusion
• decreased urination

Other Drugs Interaction

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
• an antacid such as Tums, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, and others;
• bismuth subsalicylate such as Pepto-Bismol;
• minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements;
• carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• didanosine (Videx);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• sucralfate (Carafate);
• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or pentobarbital (Nembutal); or
• a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others), penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), dicloxacillin (Dynapen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), oxacillin (Bactocill), and others.

You may not be able to take doxycycline or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second method of birth control while you are taking doxycycline to keep from getting pregnant.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with doxycycline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Doxycycline Storage

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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