Information about Doxycycline hyclate (Generic Doxycycline) :


Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It slows bacterial growth and allows the body's defense mechanisms to eliminate bacteria. Doxycycline may also be administered to prevent or slow the progression of anthrax after exposure.
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

You should not use Doxycycline in case you have any condition mentioned below: you are allergic to any ingredient in Doxycycline or another tetracycline; you are taking acitretin, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins (eg, amoxicillin).

In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.

Before using Doxycycline:
Before using Doxycycline you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have diarrhea, a stomach or intestinal infection, or the blood disease porphyria.

Be aware that Doxycycline may interact with some medicines. Consult with your health care provider in case you are taking any other drugs, especially any of the following: barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or penicillinsbecause they may decrease Doxycycline 's effectiveness; acitretin or isotretinoin because side effects, such as increased pressure inside the skull (resulting in severe headaches and vision problems) may occur; anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), methotrexate, or methoxyflurane because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased; oral contraceptives (birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Doxycycline.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Doxycycline:
Use this medicine as recommended by your doctor. Doxycycline should be usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. In case you will be using Doxycycline at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Follow the procedures strictly.

Avoid using Doxycycline in case it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. Take Doxycycline regularly at the same time each day.

Use Doxycycline for the full course of treatment, as any failures may decrease the effectiveness of Doxycycline and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Doxycycline and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.

In case you miss a dose of Doxycycline, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.

Important safety information:
Long-term or repeated use of Doxycycline may lead to a second infection. Consult with your doctor in case signs of a second infection take place.

Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps or bloody stools. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.

Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths, as you may become sunburned more easily while taking Doxycycline. It is recommended to use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

The effectiveness of hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may be decreased while using Doxycycline. It is recommended to use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms) to prevent pregnancy.

Lab tests may be performed while you are using Doxycycline. It is important to control your progress or to check for side effects. Follow all doctor and lab appointments strictly.

Do not use Doxycycline in CHILDREN younger than 8 years old as permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) may take place.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING:
Doxycycline may cause harm to the fetus. In case you could become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of using Doxycycline while you are pregnant. It is known Doxycycline passes into breast milk. Avoid breast-feeding a baby while using Doxycycline.

Possible side effects of Doxycycline:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; inflammation of the tongue; loss of appetite; nausea; purple patches under the skin; sensitivity to sunlight; skin inflammation in the anal and genital areas; vomiting.

Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bulging soft spots in infants; headache and/or blurred vision; increased pressure in the head; pain, swelling, or redness at injection site; vaginal irritation or discharge; severe reaction to the sun.

What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.