Doxycycline Monohydrate 50mg Tabs

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic. It exerts its bacteriostatic effect by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. It reversibly binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, blocking the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex, thereby preventing 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, 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
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. However, in rare cases, a severe form of diarrhea called C. diff-associated diarrhea (CDAD) may occur. This condition can lead to life-threatening bowel problems. 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 may 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 headaches or vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision, seek medical attention right away.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug may cause side effects. Many people do not experience side effects or only have mild ones. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they do not go away, contact your doctor:

Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Decreased appetite

Reporting Side Effects

This is not an exhaustive list of 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 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, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health issues with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dosage 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 excessive sunburn, inform your doctor.

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 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). Similarly, if taken during certain stages of pregnancy, it may affect the tooth color of the unborn baby. Other tooth problems and effects on bone growth have also been reported in these individuals. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor.

Generally, this medication is not recommended for children under 8 years old, except in exceptional cases. Your doctor will assess the potential benefits and risks of treatment in these situations.

Adults may also experience tooth discoloration, but this typically reverses after stopping the medication and undergoing dental cleaning. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

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

• Isotretinoin (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Acitretin (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Oral Retinoids (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) (increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Live bacterial vaccines (e.g., oral typhoid vaccine) (may reduce vaccine efficacy)

• Antacids (aluminum, calcium, magnesium) (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Iron preparations (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (decreased doxycycline absorption)
• Oral contraceptives (may decrease efficacy of oral contraceptives, leading to breakthrough bleeding or pregnancy)
• Warfarin (may potentiate anticoagulant effect, increasing bleeding risk)
• Penicillins (tetracyclines are bacteriostatic and may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillins; avoid concomitant use if possible)
• Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Carbamazepine (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Phenytoin (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Rifampin (decreased doxycycline half-life)
• Methotrexate (may increase methotrexate toxicity due to displacement from protein binding or reduced renal clearance)

• Digoxin (may increase digoxin levels in some patients due to altered gut flora)

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Photosensitivity (severe sunburn-like reaction)
• Esophageal irritation/ulceration (dysphagia, odynophagia, retrosternal pain)
• Headache (especially with visual disturbances, suggestive of pseudotumor cerebri)
• Vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis)
• Rash
• Signs of superinfection (e.g., C. difficile-associated diarrhea)

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 may also inhibit bone growth. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

L3 - Moderately safe. Doxycycline is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. While the risk of tooth discoloration in the infant is considered low due to calcium binding in milk, theoretical concerns exist. Monitor breastfed infant for diarrhea, candidiasis, or rash. Short-term use may be acceptable; long-term or repeated use should be avoided if possible.

Not recommended for children under 8 years of age due to the risk of permanent tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia. In children 8 years and older, use with caution and only when other antibiotics are not suitable or effective.

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.

• Always advise patients to take doxycycline with a full glass of water and to remain upright for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 hour) to minimize the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration.
• Emphasize strict sun protection due to high photosensitivity risk.
• Doxycycline is a preferred agent for many atypical infections (e.g., Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Borrelia burgdorferi).
• Unlike other tetracyclines, doxycycline's absorption is less affected by food and dairy, but still advise separation from antacids, iron, and calcium supplements.
• Sub-antimicrobial doses (e.g., 20 mg BID or 40 mg once daily modified-release) are used for anti-inflammatory effects in conditions like rosacea and acne, without significant antibacterial activity, thus reducing resistance risk.

• Azithromycin (for Chlamydia, Mycoplasma)
• Erythromycin (for atypical infections)
• Ciprofloxacin (for certain bacterial infections)
• Amoxicillin (for Lyme disease in pregnant women or young children)
• Minocycline (another tetracycline, often used for acne)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's 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 be sure 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.