Why is this medicine prescribed?
Doxycycline is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and certain other infections spread by ticks, lice, mites, and infected animals. Doxycyline is also used to prevent malaria and to treat acne and rosacea (a skin disease that causes redness, flushing, and pimples on the face)
Doxycycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat infections by stopping bacteria from growing and spreading. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infects pores and by lowering the amount of oil on your skin that can cause acne. It works to treat rosacea by decreasing inflammation.
Antibiotics such as doxycycline will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
Doxycycline may also be used for the treatment of malaria. It may also be used to treat or to prevent Lyme disease in certain people who have been bitten by a tick. It may also be used to prevent sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) in certain circumstances. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Doxycycline comes as a capsule, tablet, delayed-release tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is taken once or twice a day depending on the product being used and the condition being treated. Drink a full glass of water with each dose. If your stomach becomes upset when you take doxycycline, you may take it with food or milk. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take doxycycline. Take doxycycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the delayed-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
If you cannot swallow certain delayed-release tablets whole, carefully break up the tablet and sprinkle the contents of the tablet on a spoonful of cold or room temperature (not hot) applesauce. Be careful not to crush or damage any of the pellets while you are breaking up the tablet. Eat the mixture right away and swallow without chewing. If the mixture cannot be eaten right away it should be discarded.
Shake the 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 each day you are in the area, and for 4 weeks after leaving the area. Do 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.
One doxycycline product may not be able to be substituted for another. Be sure that you receive only the type of doxycycline that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of doxycycline you were given.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking doxycycline,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- you should know that some medications should not be taken with doxycycline. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with doxycycline. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting doxycycline with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking doxycycline, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with doxycycline: bismuth, omeprazole, and lansoprazole. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking doxycycline. Do not start any of these medications while taking doxycycline without discussing with your healthcare provider.
- if you are taking antacids, calcium supplements, and laxatives containing magnesium, take them 1-2 before or after doxycyline. If you are taking iron preparations and vitamin products that contain iron, take them 3 hours before or 2 hours after doxycyline.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lupus (condition in which the immune system attacks it's own tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys), intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high pressure in the skull that may cause headaches, blurry or double vision, vision loss, and other symptoms), a yeast infection in your mouth or vagina, surgery on your stomach, asthma, or kidney or liver disease. Also, tell you doctor if you have diarrhea.
- you should know that doxycycline may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). You will need to use another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking doxycycline. Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking doxycycline, call your doctor immediately. Doxycycline can harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor may tell you not to breastfeed during your treatment with doxycycline.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Doxycycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
- you should know that when you are receiving doxycycline for prevention of malaria, you should also use protective measures such as effective insect repellent, mosquito nets, clothing covering the whole body, and staying in well-screened areas, especially from early nighttime until dawn. Taking doxycycline does not give you full protection against malaria.
- you should know that when doxycycline is used during pregnancy or in babies and children under 8 years of age, it can permanently stain teeth and can cause problems with bone growth. Doxycycline should not be used in children under 8 years of age except for inhalational anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or if your doctor decides it is needed.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Doxycycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- itching of the rectum
- swelling, redness, burning, itching, or irritation of the vagina
- vaginal discharge
- painful or difficult urination
- sore throat or nose
- swollen tongue
- dry mouth
- anxiety
- back pain
- changes in color of skin, scars, nails, eyes, or mouth
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- headache
- blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision
- rash that may occur with fever or swollen glands
- skin redness or purple color, peeling, itching, burning, or blistering skin
- difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips; hives
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
- a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- joint pain
- discoloration of permanent (adult) teeth
Doxycycline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor will want to check your response to doxycycline.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking doxycycline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the doxycycline, call your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.