$Unique_ID{BRK01939}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DOXYCYCLINE}
$Subject{AK-Ramycin (Akorn)
AK-Ratabs (Akorn)
Doryx (Parke-Davis)
Doxy-Caps (Edwards)
Doxychel Hyclate (Rachelle)
doxycycline (various manufacturers)
Doxy-Lemmon (Lemmon)
Vibramycin Hyclate (Pfizer)
Vibra Tabs (Pfizer)
Vivox (Squibb)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Vibramycin Hyclate*0193901.scf
Vibra Tabs*0193902.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DOXYCYCLINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     AK-Ramycin (Akorn)
     AK-Ratabs (Akorn)
     Doryx (Parke-Davis)
     Doxy-Caps (Edwards)
     Doxychel Hyclate (Rachelle)
     doxycycline (various manufacturers)
     Doxy-Lemmon (Lemmon)
     Vibramycin Hyclate (Pfizer)
     Vibra Tabs (Pfizer)
     Vivox (Squibb)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Tetracycline antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     doxycycline
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (50 mg and 100 mg)
     Capsules (50 mg and 100 mg)
     Capsules, coated pellets (100 mg)
     Oral suspension (25 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
     Oral syrup (50 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Doxycycline tablets, capsules, oral suspension, and oral syrup should be
       stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant
       containers.  Any unused portion of the suspension should be discarded
       after 14 days because the drug loses its potency after that period.
       This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Doxycycline is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections and
to prevent or treat traveler's diarrhea.  It acts by inhibiting the growth of
bacteria.
     Doxycycline kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective
against viruses or fungi.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food (unless
your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The suspension should be shaken well just before measuring each dose.
The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to
shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the
doses.  Each dose of the oral suspension or oral syrup should be measured
carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen
teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     Do not mix the oral syrup form of this drug with other substances unless
so directed by your doctor.
     Doxycycline works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take two doses a day, the
doses should be spaced 12 hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular dosing
schedule.  Try not to skip any doses.
     Take this drug for the entire time prescribed, even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking the drug too
soon, resistant bacteria can continue to grow, and the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, discoloration of the nails, dizziness, loss of appetite,
nausea, stomach cramps and upset, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     Doxycycline can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  You should,
therefore, try to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.  Wear
protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, mouth irritation, rash,
rectal or vaginal itching, sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.  Also, if your symptoms of
infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact
your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     Doxycycline interacts with other types of medications:
     1. It can increase the absorption of digoxin, which may lead to digoxin
toxicity.
     2. The gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, stomach upset) of
theophylline may be increased by doxycycline.
     3. The dosage of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin)
may need to be adjusted when this medication is started.
     4. Doxycycline may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
(birth control pills), and pregnancy could result.  You should, therefore, use
a different or additional form of birth control while taking doxycycline.
Discuss this with your doctor.
     5. Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and antacids can lower the
blood levels of doxycycline, decreasing its effectiveness.
     6. Iron can bind to doxycycline in the gastrointestinal tract, which can
decrease its absorption and, therefore, its effectiveness.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are
currently taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to doxycycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, or
minocycline.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney or
liver disease.
     * Doxycycline can affect tests for syphilis; tell your doctor you are
taking this medication if you are also being treated for this disease.
     * Make sure that your prescription for this medication is marked with the
drug's expiration date.  The drug should be discarded after the expiration
date.  If doxycycline is used after it has expired, serious side effects
(especially to the kidneys) could result.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Doxycycline should not be used during pregnancy and
breast-feeding.  Doxycycline crosses the placenta and passes into breast milk.
This drug can cause permanent discoloration of the teeth and can inhibit tooth
and bone growth if used during their development.  Also, this drug should not
be used by children less than eight years old.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
