Patient Information:
Doxycycline 100-mg Oral Tablet
Doxycycline Oral Suspension
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Take this medicine as prescribed.
Doxycycline belongs to a class of drugs called tetracycline antibiotics. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat and protect people who have been exposed to anthrax spores.
How to take doxycycline
ADULTS:
Take 1 tablet every 12 hours as directed.
CHILDREN: A child’s dose depends on body
weight. Give the medicine to your child as directed by the doctor.
Take doxycycline with food and least one full glass of water. Avoid taking antacids (like Tums or Maalox), cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), dairy products (like milk or yogurt) or vitamins 3 hours before or after taking doxycycline.
If you miss a dose, start again taking 1 pill every 12 hours. Do not take 2 pills to make up for the missed dose. Finish all your pills, even if you feel okay, unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop this medication too soon, you may become ill.
Side effects
Common side effects of doxycycline include an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you have problems with any of these symptoms, tell your doctor. Less common side effects include dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, fatigue, white patches in the mouth. If any of these symptoms occur, call your doctor right away.
Allergic reactions are rare. Signs of an allergic reaction are rash, itching, swelling of the tongue, hands or feet, fever, and trouble breathing. If any of these symptoms occur, call you doctor right away.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR CHILDREN: This medicine may cause staining of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old. This means that their teeth can become grayish in color and this color does not go away. This medicine can also cause bone growth delay in premature infants but this side effect goes away after the medicine is finished.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: There is little data about side effects from the use of this drug during pregnancy. If the mother of an unborn baby takes doxycycline, staining of baby teeth or poor bone development can result. There is a remote chance of severe liver disease in some pregnant women.
Precautions
- Be sure to tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medicine.
- It is very important to tell the doctor the names of ALL medicines that you are currently taking even pills bought at the store such as vitamins and antacids.
- Doxycycline can make skin very sensitive to the sun which increases the chance of getting severe sunburn. Avoid the sun as much as possible. When outside, wear a long sleeve shirt and hat and always apply sunscreen (30 SPF).
- Birth control pills may not work as well when taking this medication. Be sure to use condoms or another form of birth control until you are finished the entire course of treatment. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor.
- In women, doxycycline can cause vaginal itching and discharge commonly known as a yeast infection. Tell your doctor if this happens.
- Tell the doctor if you have ever had problems with your liver or kidneys, or if you have frequent heartburn.
Page last modified January 20, 2004