What is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that fights with the bacteria in the body. It is used to treat different bacterial infections like acne, urinary tract infections, intestinal infections, respiratory infections, eye infections and syphilis. Doxycycline can also be used for treating blemishes, bumps and acne. Some of its forms are used for preventing malaria or to treat infections caused by mites, ticks and lice. It is used to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria.
Doxycycline uses
Doxycycline is used to treat acne by killing the bacteria which infect pores and also decrease the natural oily substance that causes acne. Some important uses of Doxycycline are:
- It is used for treating malaria
- It is used for treating Lyme disease
- Prevent infection in people who are sexually attacked
Doxycycline Side Effects
Common Doxycycline side effects are
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Itching
- Sore throat
- Swollen tongue
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
- Backpain
- Changes in skin colour
Serious Doxycycline side effects are
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Hives
- Skin redness
- Breathlessness
- Swelling of eyes, face and throat
- Unusual bleeding
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Discoloration of adult teeth
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Doxycycline if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority Of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Doxycycline side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Doxycycline tell your doctor about the medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements that you are taking or planning to take. Beware of antacids that contain magnesium, aluminium, calcium, calcium supplements, iron products, and laxatives that contain magnesium with Doxycycline as it can cause less effectiveness.
Avoid using Doxycycline if you have faced these problems:
- Lupus
- Hypertension
- High blood pressure
- High pressure in skulls
- Double vision
- Yeast infection
- Stomach surgery
- Ashtma
- Kidney or Liver Disease
Sometimes Doxycycline can decrease the hormonal contraceptives. Doxycycline can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight. So, try to avoid regular exposure to sunlight. Taking Doxycycline won’t give you protection against malaria. You have to take some preventive measures for avoiding the spread of malaria disease.
How to get rid of side effects?
Headaches
Take proper rest and drink enough amount of water. You can take painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen with doxycycline.
Nausea or vomiting
Try having simple and less spicy foods. Take the doxycycline tablets after having some meals or snacks. Try to avoid dairy products with doxycycline tablets. If you are feeling sick or vomiting regularly then you can have enough amount of water to avoid dehydration.
Sensitivity to sunlight
If you are going out use sunglasses and wear clothes for covering your body and to protect your body from sunlight.
How to take doxycycline?
Doxycycline comes in many forms. Mainly Doxycycline tablets are taken once or twice a day. If you’re taking doxycycline tablets in empty stomach and getting stomach pain, you can start taking it after a meal. Consult your doctor for knowing the best way of taking Doxycycline.
If you are taking Doxycycline capsules try swallowing the full capsules without splitting or crushing them. Shake the Doxycycline syrup before having it.
If you are taking Doxycycline tablets for the prevention from malaria then you can take the dose for 1 or 2 days before travelling the area where there is a chance of getting malaria.
Doxycycline tablets are taken once or twice in a day for 7-14 days
The usual dose of Doxycycline tablets for adults is 200mg on the first day. If you don’t want to take the full dose then you can divide it into 100mg in every 12hours.
Forms of Doxycycline
Doxycycline comes in different forms
- Tablets- 50mg, 75mg, 100mg and 150mg
- Delayed-release capsules- 40mg
- Syrup- 50mg/ 5ml (Tablespoon)
- Oral suspension- 25mg/5ml
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Doxycycline won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Doxycycline tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Doxycycline Warnings
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
- Surgery of stomach
- Allergic Reactions
Don’t take this drug if you had any allergies, it may cause you some serious medical conditions.
People with serious health conditions
Pregnant women
Doxycycline can show some toxic effects on the development of bone in the fetus. Mostly Doxycycline tablets are not recommended if a woman is pregnant.
Breastfeeding
Doxycycline tablets can be secreted in breast milk and can cause some problems to the babies. So, most doctors don’t recommend Doxycycline during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach. Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Doxycycline consult your Doctor. In case you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Doxycycline rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Doxycycline.
Doxycycline vs Tetracycline
| Doxycycline | Tetracycline |
|---|---|
| Doxycycline are used for curing different types of infections which include respiratory tract infections | Tetracycline are used to cure different types of bacteria. |
| Side effects of Doxycycline are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. | Side effects of tetracycline are rash, vomiting, dizziness and headache |
| Doxycycline tablets are taken once or twice daily for 7-14 days | Tetracycline tablets are taken once or twice daily for 7-14 days. |
| Doxycycline cannot be taken with other medicines which have the presence of aluminium, magnesium and calcium | Tetracycline cannot be taken with penicillin. |
