Doxycycline Monohydrate 100mg Tabs

Doxycycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, thereby preventing the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex. This action prevents the addition of new amino acids to the growing peptide chain.

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 immediate medical attention:

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 and 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 immediately.

Additional Important Warnings

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

Other Possible Side Effects

While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to be aware of the following:

Diarrhea, stomach upset, or vomiting
Decreased appetite

If you experience any of these side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor for guidance.

Reporting Side Effects

If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor or report them to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or 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 symptoms you experienced.
If you are currently taking any of the following medications: Acitretin, Isotretinoin, or a Penicillin.
* If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as you may need to avoid breastfeeding 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. They will help you determine if it is safe to take this medication with your existing medications and health conditions.

Remember, do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor to ensure your safety.

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 unusual sunburn or sensitivity, inform your doctor promptly.

This drug can cause severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious conditions that may affect internal organs. These reactions can be life-threatening. 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 contraception, 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 (yellow-gray brown) or affect tooth development. Additionally, it may impact bone growth in these individuals. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor. Although this medication is not typically recommended for children under 8 years old, there may be exceptions. Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

Tooth discoloration has also been reported in adults, but this condition may be reversible after stopping the medication and undergoing dental cleaning. Consult your doctor for more information.

If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medication, you may be at risk of harming your unborn baby. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant.

• Isotretinoin (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Acitretin (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)

• Antacids (aluminum, calcium, magnesium) - decreased doxycycline absorption
• Iron preparations - decreased doxycycline absorption
• Bismuth subsalicylate - decreased doxycycline absorption
• Oral retinoids (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene) - increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri
• Penicillins - potential antagonism (avoid concomitant use)
• Warfarin - increased anticoagulant effect (monitor INR)
• Live bacterial vaccines (e.g., typhoid vaccine) - decreased vaccine efficacy

• Oral contraceptives - potential decreased efficacy (advise backup contraception)
• Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) - decreased doxycycline half-life
• Carbamazepine - decreased doxycycline half-life
• Phenytoin - decreased doxycycline half-life
• Methotrexate - increased methotrexate toxicity (rare, but possible)

• Dairy products - minimal effect on monohydrate absorption, but still advise separation by 1-2 hours if possible.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal irritation/ulceration (dysphagia, odynophagia, heartburn)
• Photosensitivity (severe sunburn-like reaction)
• Rash
• Headache
• Blurred vision or visual disturbances (signs of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Oral thrush
• Signs of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) such as severe, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever.

Doxycycline is classified as Pregnancy Category D. It should be avoided during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters, due to the risk of permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) and enamel hypoplasia in the fetus, as well as reversible inhibition of bone growth.

Doxycycline is excreted into breast milk. While the amount transferred is generally low and calcium in milk may chelate the drug, there is a theoretical risk of tooth discoloration and inhibition of bone growth in the nursing infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers tetracyclines compatible with breastfeeding with caution. Use with caution, or consider an alternative if possible, especially for long-term use.

Contraindicated in children under 8 years of age due to the risk of permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) and enamel hypoplasia, as well as reversible inhibition of bone growth. In children 8 years and older, use with caution and only when other antibiotics are not suitable or effective.

No specific dosage adjustment is generally required based on age alone. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances or photosensitivity. Monitor renal and hepatic function if prolonged therapy is anticipated, although doxycycline is primarily eliminated non-renally.

• Doxycycline monohydrate is generally better tolerated gastrointestinally than doxycycline hyclate, especially regarding esophageal irritation.
• 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 preferred agent for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and malaria prophylaxis.
• It is effective against atypical bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma, Chlamydia) and some protozoa.
• Despite being a tetracycline, doxycycline's unique elimination pathway means it does not accumulate significantly in renal impairment, making it a safe option for patients with kidney disease.

• Azithromycin (for atypical infections, STIs)
• Amoxicillin (for Lyme disease in children <8 years or pregnant women)
• Ceftriaxone (for gonorrhea)
• Clindamycin (for certain skin/soft tissue infections)
• Macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin)
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. 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 information about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.