Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: DOXYCYCLINE (dox-i-SYE-kleen)
This medicine is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. It is not effective for treating infections caused by viruses.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking acitretin, isotretinoin, a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin), or you have recently received or will be receiving a live oral typhoid vaccine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), iron, urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including blood problems (eg, porphyria), diarrhea, a history of yeast infections, a history of lupus, kidney or liver problems, recent surgery, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-sodium (salt) diet. USE OF THIS MEDICINE in children under age 8 is not recommended; permanent yellow-gray-brown tooth discoloration may occur. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating unless otherwise directed by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. However, certain foods such as milk and dairy products may decrease the absorption of this medicine. If this medicine upsets your stomach, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you should take it with food. Certain medicines may also bind with doxycycline preventing its full absorption. To avoid this problem, take doxycycline 2-3 hours before or after taking any medicines containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, antacids, sucralfate, and bismuth subsalicylate. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with a full glass (8 oz./240 ml) of water. DO NOT LIE DOWN for 30 minutes after taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it, or are allergic to any ingredient in this product, or to any tetracycline antibiotic. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS for this medicine to work. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including liver function, kidney function, or blood count may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THE USE OF MEDICINES OF the tetracycline class (such as doxycycline) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow, gray, or brown) during tooth development. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. MILD DIARRHEA IS COMMON WITH ANTIBIOTIC USE. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include loss of appetite, nausea, sensitivity to sunlight, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience decreased urination; dark urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes; fever, chills, or sore throat; unusual tiredness; severe or persistent headache; throat irritation; or vaginal irritation or discharge. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody stools; chest pain; severe diarrhea; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint pain; vision changes; swelling of your hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, or throat; trouble swallowing; or hoarseness. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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