Generic Name: doxycycline (Oral route)
dox-i-SYE-kleen
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic
Chemical Class: Tetracycline (class)
Doxycycline is used to treat infections and to help control acne. It is also used to treat the pimples and abscesses (usually on the face) that are caused by rosacea, also known as acne rosacea or adult acne. Doxycycline may also be used for other problems as determined by your doctor. Doxycycline will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Doxycycline may cause permanent discoloration of teeth and slow down the growth of bones. This medicine should not be given to children 8 years of age and younger unless directed by the child's doctor.
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of doxycycline in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
---|---|---|
All Trimesters | D | Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk. |
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain doxycycline. It may not be specific to Oracea. Please read with care.
Do not give doxycycline to infants or children 8 years of age and younger unless directed by your doctor. Doxycycline may cause permanently discolored teeth and other problems in patients in these age groups.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.
Take only the amount of doxycycline that is prescribed for you. If you take more than the correct dosage, you may have side effects and the medicine may not work.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid esophageal irritation and ulceration.
For Doryx® delayed-release tablets—This medicine may be taken with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
For Oracea™ delayed-release capsules—
The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine 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 using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen may not work properly if you take them while you are taking doxycycline. Unplanned pregnancies may occur. You should use a different or additional means of birth control while you are taking doxycycline. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
You should contact your doctor right away if you experience stomach cramps, high fever, and bloody diarrhea. These could be symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis, a serious condition where the colon is severely inflamed.
Doxycycline may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:
Contact your doctor immediately if fever, rash, joint pain, or tiredness occurs. These could be symptoms of an autoimmune syndrome where the body attacks itself.
You should not take antacids that contain aluminum, calcium or magnesium, or any product that contains iron such as vitamin or mineral supplements.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Frequency not knownSome side effects 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:
Frequency not knownOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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