doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx) Side Effects, Dosage & Uses

Do I need a prescription for doxycycline?

Yes

What is doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a synthetic (man-made) antibiotic derived from tetracycline.

What brand names are available for doxycycline?

Brand names for doxycycline hyclate include Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, Acticlate, Acticlate Cap, Doryx, Doxteric, Doxy, Monodox, and others.

Is doxycycline available as a generic drug?

Yes

Why is doxycycline prescribed to patients?

Doxycycline is used for many different types of infections, including respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also is used for the treatment of

• non-gonococcalurethritis (due to Ureaplasma),
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever,
• typhus,
• chancroid,
• cholera,
• brucellosis,
• anthrax,
• syphilis,
• acne, and,
• periodontal disease.

What are the side effects of doxycycline?

Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated. The most common
side effects are

• diarrhea or loose stools,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain, and
• vomiting.

Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may cause tooth discoloration if used in persons below 8 years of age. Exaggerated
sunburn can occur with tetracyclines; therefore,
sunlight should be
minimized during treatment.

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
See Answer

What is the dosage for doxycycline?

• The absorption of doxycycline is not markedly affected by food, and
  therefore, it can be taken with meals.
• For most infections, doxycycline is taken
  once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days.
• For adult infections, the usual dose of
  oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (100 mg every 12 hours)
  followed by a dose of 100 to 200 mg/day as a single dose or divided and
  administered twice daily.

Which drugs or supplements interact with doxycycline?

• It is recommended that doxycycline
  not be taken at the same time as aluminum, magnesium, or calcium based antacids, such as
  Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, or Rolaids because, like food, these medications bind doxycycline in the
  intestine and prevent its absorption. Similarly, doxycycline should not be taken
  with minerals (such as calcium or iron) or with

  bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

• Doxycycline may enhance the activity of
  warfarin
  (Jantoven, Coumadin) and cause excessive "thinning" of the blood leading to exaggerated
  bleeding, necessitating a reduction in the dose of warfarin.
  Phenytoin (Dilantin),
  carbamazepine
  (Tegretol), and
  barbiturates (such as phenobarbital) may enhance the metabolism
  (destruction) of doxycycline thus making it less effective.
• Doxycycline may interfere with the action of penicillins and should not be
  combined with penicillins. It may also reduce the effect of
  oral contraceptives.
  Combining tetracycline and methoxyflurane (Penthrane) may reduce kidney
  function.

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Is doxycycline safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

• Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline, can have toxic
  effects on development of bone in the fetus. Therefore, tetracyclines are not
  recommended
  during pregnancy unless there is no other appropriate antibiotic.
• Doxycycline is secreted into
  breast milk
  but the extent of absorption by the breastfed infant is not known. Since tetracyclines can cause toxic effects on bone, the use of tetracyclines in
  nursing mothers is of concern. The physician must decide whether to recommend
  that a nursing mother discontinue nursing during treatment with tetracyclines or
  change to a different antibiotic.

What else should I know about doxycycline?

What preparations of doxycycline are available?

• Capsules: 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg.
• Capsule (Delayed Release): 40 mg.
• Tablets: 20, 50, 75, 100 and
  150 mg.
• Tablets (Delayed Release): 50, 60, 75, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200 mg.
• Syrup: 50 mg/5 ml (teaspoon)
• Oral Suspension: 25 mg/5ml
• Powder for injection: 100and 200 mg.
• Periodontal Extended Release Liquid: 10%

How should I keep doxycycline stored?

• Tablets, capsules, and syrup should be kept at room temperature 15 C
  to 30 C (59 F to 86 F) in tight, light resistant containers.
• Powder for injection should be stored at or below 25 C (77 F) and protected
  from light.
• Atridox (doxycycline in a gel used for subgingival application) should be
  stored at 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F).

How does doxycycline work?

• Doxycycline works by interrupting the production of proteins
  by bacteria. It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria, such as
  Hemophilus influenzae,
  Streptococcus
  pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci,
  Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, and many
  others.

When was doxycycline approved by the FDA?

The FDA approved doxycycline in December 1967.