Doxycycline Monohydrate 150mg Tabs

Doxycycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding reversibly 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, leading to inhibition of bacterial growth and replication.

Serious Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Immediately

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 right away:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of liver problems, including:
+ Dark urine
+ Tiredness
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes
Signs of pancreatitis (pancreas problem), such as:
+ Severe stomach pain
+ Severe back pain
+ Severe upset stomach or vomiting
Chest pain or pressure, or a rapid heartbeat
Difficulty urinating or changes in urine output
Fever, chills, or sore throat
Unexplained bruising or bleeding, or feeling extremely tired or weak
Throat irritation
Trouble swallowing
Muscle or joint pain
Rapid breathing
Flushing
Severe dizziness or fainting
Changes in skin color
Vaginal itching or discharge

Important: Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics. In rare cases, a severe form of diarrhea called Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) may occur. This condition can lead to a life-threatening bowel problem. If you experience stomach pain, cramps, or loose, watery, or bloody stools, contact your doctor immediately. Before treating diarrhea, consult with your doctor.

Raised Pressure in the Brain

This medication can cause increased pressure in the brain, which usually resolves after stopping the medication. However, in some cases, vision loss may occur and may be permanent. If you experience a headache or vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision, contact your doctor right away.

Other Side Effects

Most people do not experience significant side effects, but some may occur. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they persist, contact your doctor:

Diarrhea
Upset stomach or vomiting
Decreased appetite

Reporting Side Effects

This is not an exhaustive list of potential 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. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction and its symptoms.
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, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions.

Remember, do not 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 unusual sunburn or sensitivity, inform your doctor promptly.

Be aware that this drug can cause severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious conditions that can 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 contraceptives, note that this medication may reduce their effectiveness. Consider using an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy.

In children under 8 years old, this medication may cause permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray brown) or other tooth problems. It may also affect bone growth. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor. Although this medication is not typically recommended for children under 8, 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 if you have concerns.

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

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

• Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Iron preparations (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Oral retinoids (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Penicillins (tetracyclines may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillins)
• Warfarin (enhanced anticoagulant effect)

• Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Carbamazepine (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Phenytoin (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Oral contraceptives (decreased efficacy of oral contraceptives, increased risk of breakthrough bleeding)
• Methotrexate (increased methotrexate toxicity due to displacement from protein binding or reduced renal clearance)
• Cyclosporine (increased cyclosporine levels)

• Cholestyramine (decreased doxycycline absorption)

• Severe diarrhea (may indicate C. difficile-associated diarrhea)
• New or worsening headache, blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss (signs of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Severe skin rash, blistering, or peeling (signs of severe cutaneous adverse reactions like SJS/TEN)
• Yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting (signs of hepatotoxicity)
• Severe sunburn reaction (photosensitivity)
• Difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or irritation (esophageal irritation)

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 inhibition of bone growth in the fetus.

Doxycycline is excreted into breast milk. While the amount is generally low and calcium in milk may chelate the drug, limiting infant absorption, there is a theoretical risk of tooth discoloration and bone effects in the nursing infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers tetracyclines compatible with breastfeeding with caution. Use with caution, monitor infant for diarrhea or candidiasis.

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. Use in children 8 years and older should be carefully weighed against the benefits, especially for long-term use.

No specific dose adjustment is generally required based on age alone. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal disturbances and photosensitivity. Monitor renal and hepatic function if pre-existing impairment is present, although doxycycline's primary non-renal excretion makes it a safer option for renal impairment compared to other tetracyclines.

• Doxycycline monohydrate is generally better tolerated gastrointestinally than doxycycline hyclate and is less affected by food/dairy, making it a preferred formulation for many patients.
• Always advise patients to take with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation and ulceration.
• Emphasize strict sun protection due to high photosensitivity risk.
• Unlike other tetracyclines, doxycycline does not accumulate significantly in patients with renal impairment, making it a suitable choice for this population.
• For acne and rosacea, lower doses (e.g., 20 mg twice daily or 40 mg once daily extended-release) are often used for their anti-inflammatory effects, rather than their antimicrobial effects, to minimize resistance and side effects.

• Other tetracyclines (e.g., minocycline, tetracycline)
• Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin, erythromycin) for certain infections
• Beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins) for susceptible bacterial infections
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) for susceptible bacterial infections
• Topical or oral retinoids (for acne/rosacea)
• Topical antibiotics (for acne/rosacea)
• Metronidazole (for rosacea)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure safe and effective 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's a good idea to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to 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 details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.