Online Pharmacy

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. It is well absorbed from the gut even after food and is excreted in the bile, in the faeces, which it re-enters by diffusing across the small intestinal wall and to some extent in the urine. Doxycycline is used mainly in the treatment of respiratory, genitor-urinary, dental, and ophthalmic, ENT and gynecological infection and several other bacterial diseases.

Precautions with Doxycycline

Special precautions should be taken for impaired hepatic functions, blood dyscrasias, and regular blood counts on long term therapy, antacids, and mineral supplements. Incase of pediatrics it is not recommended under eight years. In older children reduced doses are necessary. In pregnancy it is contra indicated as it may discolor the teeth of the foetus. In cases of lactation it is contra indicated as well since it passes into the breast milk and may affect the tooth development and bones. One suffering from liver diseases should not take doxycycline or may require adjusted dosage followed by special monitoring during the therapy.

Doxycycline Dosage

The dosage mainly prescribed by the physician is like first day 100 mg twelve hourly followed by 100 mg daily.
It should be taken with a glass full of water or in other words 8 ounces.
The pill should be swallowed as a whole without crushing or breaking as doing the same would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
A delayed released capsule should not be taken in any circumstances.
The drug should not be taken in larger amounts.
In case of oral suspension the drug should always be taken after shaking the drug bottle and the dose should be properly measured with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup unlike a regular table-spoon.
This drug should be stored at normal room temperature away from places having moist and heat.
Any brands of doxycycline should be thrown away after the expiry date which is printed on the label of the drug because using expired doxycycline drug can cause damage to one’s kidney.
Before going for any type of surgery, one should inform the surgeon well ahead of time that he/she is taking doxycycline and may be suggested by the surgeon to stop doxycycline for a short period of time.
Doxycycline can be taken with or without food but not with milk or any dairy products at any circumstances. The reason for not taking with milk or any other dairy products, because it can make harder for the body to absorb the drug. This restriction is not valid for certain brands of doxycycline. If the physician instructs to take doxycycline with milk or any other dairy products  then one should ask the pharmacist for that particular brand of doxycycline which can be taken with milk.
Doxycycline will not cure any viral infection like common cold or flu and hence one should not give this drug to another person having common cough and cold or flu.
Doxycycline when prescribed by the physician should be taken for the entire period specified by the physician.

Doxycycline - Missed Dose

If one misses a dose then he should take the same immediately when he remembers but should skip the dose if he/she remembers during the time of next dosage. He/She should not take extra dosage at any circumstances to cover up the missed dose.

Doxycycline - Overdose

One who has taken overdose of this drug may suffer from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and hence should immediately consult his/her physician.

Doxycycline side effects

The side effects to this drug are tooth discoloration, enamel hypoplasia, reduced fibula growth rate.
The other side effects to this drug are severe headache, blurred vision or confusion.
One should immediately report to his/her physician when he feel nausea or have stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, clay colored stool, and jaundice and stop in taking this drug until and unless instructed by the physician.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Doxycycline

Some of the withdrawal symptoms are listed below:
Blurred vision
Tremor
insomnia