Doxycycline

Type of Medication: Antibiotic

Indications: Sensitive Haemophilus influenzae and Staph aureus infections. Used in combination to treat Burkholderia cepacia, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter (Alcaligenes) xylosoxidans. Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus infection.

Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (antibiotic associated colitis), dysphagia,anorexia and oesophageal irritation. other rare side-effects include hepatotoxicity, blood dyscrasias, photosensitivity, reactions (including rash, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, pericarditis). headache and visual disturbances may indicate benign intracranial hypertension (discontinue treatment).

Route of administration:Adult (Oral)

Dose: 200mg od or 100 mg bd

Administration: Take with plenty of water. Swallow whole with plenty of fluid during meal while sitting or standing. Available as 50mg and 100 mg capsules and 100 mg dispersible tablets

Route of administration: Paediatric (Oral)

Dose:Children > 12 years 100-200 mg od

Administration: Do not give to children under 12 as deposition of tetracyclines into growing teeth and bones (by binding to calcium)causes staining and occasionally dental hypoplasia. Also avoid in pregnant and breast feeding women.

Examples of drug interaction

Interacting drug: Aluminium hydroxide

reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: Antacids

reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: Antiepileptics

increased metabolism of doxycycline

Interacting drug: Calcium supplements

reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: Contraceptives (oral)

risk of reduced contraceptive effect

Interacting drug: Cyclosporin

possible increased cyclosporin levels

Interacting drug: dairy products

reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: Iron

Reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: magnesium salts

reduced absorption. Take 2-3 hours apart

Interacting drug: Phenindone

altered INR

Interacting drug: quinapril

reduced absorption of doxycycline

Interacting drug: Retinoids

increased risk of benign intracranial hypertension

Interacting drug: Sucralfate

reduced absorption of doxycycline

Interacting drug: Warfarin

altered INR

Interacting drug: Zinc

reduced absorption of doxycycline