|
Usage: Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It fights bacteria in your body. Doxycycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, among others.
Directions: Take Doxycycline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Doxycycline may be taken with food or milk or on an empty stomach. Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking Doxycycline. These products may reduce the effectiveness of Doxycycline. Take all of the Doxycycline that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Throw away any unused Doxycycline when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any Doxycycline after the expiration date printed on the bottle. Expired Doxycycline can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.
Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Doxycycline and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, difficulty breathing); a severe headache; vision changes; confusion; liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); blood problems (fever, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding); or genital sores or itching. If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take Doxycycline and talk to your doctor: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; sensitivity to the sun; dark "furry"; tongue, black tongue, or swollen tongue; or vaginal yeast infection. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Doxycycline may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking Doxycycline. These products may reduce the effectiveness of Doxycycline. Throw away any unused Doxycycline when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any Doxycycline after the expiration date printed on the bottle. Expired Doxycycline can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.
Drug Interactions: Do not take the following drugs within 2 hours of taking Doxycycline because they may decrease its effectiveness: cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); bismuth subsalicylate in products such as Pepto-Bismol; or antacids or vitamin supplements that contain calcium, magnesium, iron, or sodium bicarbonate. Before taking Doxycycline, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin); or another antibiotic. You may not be able to take Doxycycline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Doxycycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking Doxycycline. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Doxycycline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Doxycycline overdose include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Storage: Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
|
