Drug Uses

DOXYCYCLINE is a tetracycline antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat many kinds of infections, like dental, skin, respiratory, and urinary tract infections. It also treats acne, Lyme disease, malaria, and certain sexually transmitted infections. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

How To Use

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. It is best to take this medicine without food, but if it upsets your stomach take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early. Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Possible Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Monodox and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• Severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision;
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• Severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• Urinating less than usual or not at all;
• Pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
• Severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• Loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• Easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:
• Swollen tongue, trouble swallowing;
• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset;
• White patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• Sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area; or
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Precautions

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve. Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery. Do not take this medicine just before going to bed. It may not dissolve properly when you lay down and can cause pain in your throat. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine to also help reduce irritation in your throat. This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths. Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control. If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted infection, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Your sexual partner may also need treatment. Avoid antacids, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and iron products for 4 hours before and 2 hours after taking a dose of this medicine. If you are using this medicine to prevent malaria, you should still protect yourself from contact with mosquitos. Stay in screened-in areas, use mosquito nets, keep your body covered, and use an insect repellent.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature, below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Taking this medicine after the expiration date can make you seriously ill.