Doryx 150mg DR Tablets

Doxycycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding reversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit, thereby preventing the binding of aminoacyl transfer RNA to the messenger RNA-ribosome complex. This action prevents the addition of new amino acids to the growing peptide chain, thus inhibiting bacterial growth and replication.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of liver problems: dark urine, fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain or upset, light-colored stools, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes
Signs of pancreatitis (pancreas problem): severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or vomiting
Chest pain or pressure, or a rapid heartbeat
Difficulty urinating or changes in urine output
Fever, chills, sore throat, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or feeling extremely tired or weak
Throat irritation or difficulty swallowing
Muscle or joint pain
Rapid breathing
Flushing
Severe dizziness or fainting
Changes in skin color
Vaginal itching or discharge
Diarrhea (common with antibiotics), especially if severe, bloody, or watery (may be a sign of C. diff-associated diarrhea, a potentially life-threatening condition)

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. Additionally, be aware that:

C. diff-associated diarrhea (CDAD) may occur during or after antibiotic treatment, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening bowel problem. If you experience stomach pain, cramps, or severe diarrhea, contact your doctor immediately.
Raised pressure in the brain has been reported with this medication, which may cause headaches or vision problems (such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision). If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.

Other Possible Side Effects

Most people do not experience severe side effects, but some may occur. If you notice any of the following side effects, contact your doctor if they bother you or do not go away:

Diarrhea, upset stomach, or vomiting
Decreased appetite

This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you are currently taking any of the following medications: Acitretin, Isotretinoin, or a Penicillin.
* If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed, as you may need to avoid nursing while taking this medication.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. Additionally, inform them about any existing health problems.

To ensure your safety, always verify with your doctor that it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. If you are on long-term treatment with this drug, your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your condition.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, so it is crucial to notify all your healthcare providers and lab personnel that you are taking this drug. Do not exceed the prescribed duration of treatment, as this may increase the risk of a second infection.

You may be more susceptible to sunburn while taking this medication, so take necessary precautions when exposed to the sun. If you experience increased sensitivity to the sun, inform your doctor.

There is a risk of severe skin reactions associated with this medication, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. These reactions can be life-threatening and may also affect internal organs. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in your mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.

If you are using birth control pills or other hormone-based birth control methods, note that this medication may reduce their effectiveness. Consider using an additional form of birth control, such as a condom, to prevent pregnancy.

In children under 8 years old, this medication may cause permanent tooth discoloration, turning teeth yellow-gray brown. Similarly, if taken during certain stages of pregnancy, it may affect the unborn baby's teeth. Other tooth problems and impaired bone growth have also been reported in children taking this medication. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor.

Generally, this medication is not recommended for children under 8 years old, but there may be exceptions. Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

In some cases, adults have also experienced tooth discoloration, which has been reported to reverse after stopping the medication and undergoing dental cleaning. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your doctor.

If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medication, you should contact your doctor immediately, as it may harm the unborn baby.

• Oral retinoids (e.g., isotretinoin, acitretin): Increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri (intracranial hypertension).
• Live bacterial vaccines (e.g., oral typhoid vaccine): Doxycycline may reduce the therapeutic effect of the vaccine.

• Antacids (aluminum, calcium, magnesium), iron preparations, bismuth subsalicylate: Decreased absorption of doxycycline. Separate administration by at least 2-3 hours.
• Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), carbamazepine, phenytoin: May decrease doxycycline half-life due to enzyme induction, leading to subtherapeutic levels. Consider increasing doxycycline dose or using alternative antibiotic.
• Warfarin: May potentiate anticoagulant effect. Monitor INR closely.
• Oral contraceptives: May decrease efficacy of oral contraceptives (though evidence is mixed, advise backup contraception).
• Penicillins: Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic and may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillins. Avoid concomitant use if possible.
• Methotrexate: May increase methotrexate toxicity (though less documented for doxycycline specifically).

• Severe headache
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (especially severe or bloody)
• Abdominal pain
• Skin rash or severe sunburn reaction
• Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
• Oral thrush or vaginal yeast infection

Category D. Doxycycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) and enamel hypoplasia in the fetus if used during the second and third trimesters. It can also cause reversible inhibition of bone growth. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus (e.g., for life-threatening infections like anthrax or Rocky Mountain spotted fever where alternative treatments are not suitable).

Excreted into breast milk. While generally considered compatible with caution for short-term use (e.g., < 3 weeks), long-term or repeated use may theoretically lead to tooth discoloration or inhibition of bone growth in the nursing infant. Monitor infant for diarrhea, candidiasis, and tooth discoloration. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers tetracyclines compatible with breastfeeding.

Contraindicated in children under 8 years of age due to the risk of permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) and reversible inhibition of bone growth. Exceptions are for severe or life-threatening infections (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever) where the benefits outweigh the risks and alternative therapies are not available or effective.

No specific dose adjustment is generally required based on age alone. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to adverse effects such as esophageal irritation or C. difficile infection. Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.

• Doryx DR is a delayed-release formulation designed to reduce GI upset and esophageal irritation compared to immediate-release doxycycline.
• Always advise patients to take with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30-60 minutes to prevent esophageal ulceration.
• Emphasize strict sun protection due to high photosensitivity risk.
• Doxycycline is a first-line treatment for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, even in children under 8 years, due to the severity of the disease outweighing the risk of tooth discoloration.
• Unlike other tetracyclines, doxycycline's absorption is less affected by food and dairy, but still avoid co-administration with antacids, iron, and bismuth.
• Can be used for its anti-inflammatory properties at sub-antimicrobial doses (e.g., Oracea for rosacea).

• Azithromycin (for some respiratory/skin infections, STIs)
• Ciprofloxacin (for anthrax, some bacterial infections)
• Amoxicillin (for Lyme disease, some bacterial infections)
• Clindamycin (for some skin infections, anaerobic infections)
• Minocycline (another tetracycline, often used for acne, but higher risk of CNS side effects)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further evaluation and guidance. To ensure your safety and the effectiveness of your treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it is a good idea to consult with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider for clarification. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.