Uses

This medication is used to treat a certain type of skin condition called rosacea. It helps to reduce the number of pimples and bumps on the face, but it may not decrease redness. It works by reducing skin inflammation caused by rosacea.

Although doxycycline belongs to the class of antibiotics known as tetracyclines, this product does not work as an antibiotic because it does not stop the growth of bacteria. Do not use this product to treat any infection, including viral infections (such as the common cold, flu). Use this medication only as prescribed by your doctor.

How To Use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is best taken by mouth on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless directed otherwise. If stomach upset occurs, taking it with food or milk may help. However, doxycycline may not work as well if you take it with food or milk (or anything high in calcium - more details below), so ask your doctor or pharmacist if you may take it that way. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication.

Take this medication 2 to 3 hours before or after taking any products containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc or bismuth subsalicylate. Some examples include antacids, didanosine solution, quinapril, vitamins/minerals, dairy products (such as milk, yogurt), and calcium-enriched juice. These products bind with doxycycline, preventing your body from fully absorbing the drug.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or take more of this medication than prescribed.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or mild headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• difficult/painful swallowing
• brown/gray tooth discoloration
• blue/gray/brown discoloration of the skin/lips/tongue/gums
• unusual tiredness
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)
• hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears, decreased hearing)
• severe stomach/abdominal pain

Tetracycline drugs such as doxycycline may rarely cause increased pressure around the brain (intracranial hypertension-IH). The risk of this side effect is greater for women of childbearing age who are overweight or who have had IH in the past. If IH develops, it usually goes away after doxycycline is stopped; however, there is a chance of permanent vision loss or blindness. Get medical help right away if you have:

• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• headache that is severe or doesn't go away
• vision changes (such as blurred/double vision, decreased vision, sudden blindness)

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (fungal infections). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever that doesn't go away
• new or worsening lymph node swelling
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

See also Side Effects section.

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to tetracycline or related drugs (such as minocycline); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• problems swallowing
• esophagus problems (such as hiatal hernia, reflux disease-GERD)
• stomach surgery (such as gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery)
• lupus

Doxycycline may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using doxycycline before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children younger than 8 years may be more sensitive to the side effects of doxycycline, especially tooth discoloration. Tooth discoloration has also occurred in older children and young adults. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with the doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using doxycycline. Doxycycline may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• retinoid medications taken by mouth (such as acitretin, isotretinoin)
• strontium
• anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin)
• digoxin
• warfarin

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Taking outdated tetracycline-related drugs can result in serious illness. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.