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Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Doxycycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as acne, urinary tract infections, intestinal infections, respiratory infections, eye infections, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, periodontitis (gum disease), and others.
Doxycycline is also used to treat blemishes, bumps, and acne-like lesions caused by rosacea. It will not treat facial redness caused by rosacea.
Some forms of doxycycline are used to prevent malaria, to treat anthrax, or to treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.
You should not take doxycycline if you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.
Children younger than 8 years old should use doxycycline only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children.
Using doxycycline during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.
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 doxycycline 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 doxycycline 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 doxycycline 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.
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.
Doxycycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. The extent of absorption is unknown. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Children should not use this medicine. Doxycycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.
Children should use doxycycline 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.
Take doxycycline 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 doxycycline with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.
Most brands of doxycyline may be taken with food or milk if the medicine upsets your stomach. Different brands of doxycycline may have different instructions about taking them with or without food.
Take Oracea 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.
Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule or tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
You may need to split a doxycycline tablet to get the correct dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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 doxycycline 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.
Doxycycline is usually 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 a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using doxycycline.
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.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking doxycycline.
Avoid taking any other antibiotics with doxycycline unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Doxycycline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to doxycycline: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using doxycycline.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
throat irritation, trouble swallowing;
chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;
little or no urination;
low white blood cell counts - fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches, weakness, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), tiredness, nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common doxycycline side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
mild diarrhea;
skin rash or itching;
darkened skin color; or
vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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.
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.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Doxycycline (www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html).
Applies to doxycycline: oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral powder for suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet delayed release
Along with its needed effects, doxycycline may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking doxycycline:
Incidence not known
Some side effects of doxycycline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Applies to doxycycline: injectable powder for injection, oral capsule, oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral kit, oral powder for reconstitution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral and topical kit
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%)
Common (1% to 10%): Sinus headache
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bulging fontanels (in infants), benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri [symptoms include blurred vision, scotomata, diplopia]), tinnitus
Frequency not reported: Hypoesthesia, increased intracranial pressure, paresthesia, somnolence, stupor, taste loss, drowsiness, amnesia, paresthesias of body areas exposed to sunlight, phrenic nerve paralysis after sclerotherapy
Postmarketing reports: Pseudotumor cerebri, headache, dizziness
Benign intracranial hypertension resulting in permanent loss of vision has been reported.
A 70-year-old female patient with no significant medical history suddenly developed a severe headache followed by vomiting about 15 minutes after the initial dose of this drug. The patient also experienced memory dysfunction; she could not remember the events of the afternoon prior to the dose of this drug and could not retain the information after she was reminded. The incident lasted about 30 minutes and she was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. No further cause, such as intoxication or trauma, could be elicited. Once at the hospital, the patient was able to remember the events of the afternoon and could retain new information, but amnesia regarding the events of the 30 minutes following the onset of the headache persisted. The patient's laboratory results, computerized tomography scan, MRI scan, cerebrospinal fluid, and electroencephalogram showed no pathology. When the patient was discharged 2 days later, the amnesia for the 30 minutes continued. After elimination of other symptomatic causes, the amnesia was concluded to be due to this drug because of the close relation of the dose and the onset of symptoms.
Very common (10% or more): Common cold (up to 22%), influenza symptoms (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Injury/accidental injury, pain, infection, fungal infection, influenza
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Candida infection/candidiasis, flushing, retrosternal pain
Frequency not reported: Malaise, overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms (superinfection)
Postmarketing reports: Asthenia
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 13.4%)
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea/vomiting, toothache, tooth disorder, dyspepsia, diarrhea, periodontal abscess, acid indigestion, upper abdominal pain, abdominal distention, abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, dry mouth
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gum pain, heartburn/gastritis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions (with candidal/monilial overgrowth) in the anogenital region, esophagitis, esophageal ulcerations, pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis, Clostridium difficile colitis, stomatitis
Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, esophageal irritation, ulceration, epigastric burning, black hairy tongue, tooth discoloration/adult tooth staining, vomiting, enamel hypoplasia, staphylococcal enterocolitis
Postmarketing reports: Bloody diarrhea, colitis, constipation, superficial tooth discoloration
Numerous cases of esophageal ulceration have been reported. In most cases, the patients had taken their medication at bedtime, usually without enough liquid. Patients often presented with severe retrosternal pain and difficulty swallowing. Ulcerations generally resolved within a week after discontinuing the drug. In 1 case report, severe hiccups of 4-day duration associated with esophagitis followed the first dose of this drug.
Esophagitis and esophageal ulcerations have been reported in patients taking the capsule or tablet formulations of tetracycline-class antibiotics. Most of these patients took the drug immediately before going to bed.
Common (1% to 10%): Joint pain/arthralgia, back pain/back ache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle pain/myalgia
Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, sore throat, sinus congestion, coughing, sinusitis, bronchitis, nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain
Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm
Common (1% to 10%): Rash (including maculopapular rash, erythematous rash), photosensitivity reaction/dermatitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, photoonycholysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Frequency not reported: Nail discoloration, phototoxicity, photoallergic reaction, morbilliform rash, onycholysis, pustular rash
Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, urticaria
Tetracyclines:
-Frequency not reported: Hyperpigmentation
In a double-blinded study, this drug was found to be more phototoxic than minocycline and demeclocycline. Paresthesias of the body areas exposed to sunlight may be early signs of sunburn reactions.
A case report of a possible photoallergic reaction described scaly erythema and vesicles on the face and neck associated with administration of this drug. Upon rechallenge, a flare with erythema, itching, and burning occurred in the same area.
Another case report was documented in Australian troops treated with 100 mg daily for malaria prophylaxis while on deployment in East Timor, a group of islands within the Malaysian archipelago located close to the equator. Of the 135 troops, 22 exhibited phototoxic reactions to low doses of this drug that resembled severe sunburn with erythematous plaques on the sun-exposed areas. The troops used a sunscreen containing oxybenzone.
An 11-year-old boy treated with this drug for brucellosis was evaluated for painless brown nail discoloration. This drug was initiated for brucellosis but stopped when the boy developed photosensitivity, but 15 days after the initiation of therapy brown nail discoloration developed. Other than the brown discoloration, the boy's physical condition was normal and the discoloration disappeared within 1 month.
Common (1% to 10%): Menstrual cramps, bacterial vaginitis, vulvovaginal mycotic infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vaginal infection
Frequency not reported: Vaginal itch, vaginitis
Postmarketing reports: Vaginal candidiasis/moniliasis, anogenital moniliasis
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, increased blood pressure
Frequency not reported: Phlebitis (with IV administration)
Common (1% to 10%): Increased AST
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal hepatic function, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, jaundice
Frequency not reported: Acute hepatocellular injury, cholestatic reactions, cholestatic hepatitis, fatty liver degeneration, transient increases in liver function tests
Hypoglycemia in a nondiabetic patient has been reported.
Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood LDH, increased blood glucose
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased appetite, porphyria
Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, anorexia
Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety
Frequency not reported: Confusion, depression, hallucination
Common (1% to 10%): Anaphylactic reaction (including angioedema, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, pericarditis, hypersensitivity, serum sickness, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, hypotension, dyspnea, tachycardia, peripheral edema, urticaria)
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, angioneurotic edema, anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylactoid purpura, serum sickness, hypotension, pericarditis, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, dyspnea, peripheral edema, tachycardia)
Postmarketing reports: Mild allergic reactions
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, eosinophilia
Frequency not reported: Increased prothrombin time, leukopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased BUN/blood urea (dose-related)
Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure
The long-term use of tetracyclines has been associated with microscopic brown-black discoloration of the thyroid gland; abnormal thyroid function has not been reported.
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Microscopic brown-black discoloration of the thyroid gland
Frequency not reported: Diplopia, papilledema, loss of vision (associated with drug-induced benign intracranial hypertension), conjunctivitis, periorbital edema
Tetracyclines:
-Frequency not reported: Autoimmune syndromes
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Doxycycline (www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html).
April 6, 2020
July 1, 2020
July 2, 2020
April 26, 2020
April 13, 2020
June 26, 2020
