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