Doxycycline

• Doxycycline is an antibiotic. It treats infections caused by certain bacteria.
• It is used for chest and airway infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
• It is used for skin infections, urinary infections, and some sexually transmitted infections.
• It does not treat colds, flu, or other infections caused by viruses.

• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole with a full glass of water.
• Take doxycycline with food or right after a meal to help prevent an upset stomach.
• Stay sitting or standing upright for 1 to 2 hours after each dose, and do not lie down right after taking it.
• Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional tells you. The amount and how often you take it will be on your prescription label.
• Finish the entire course of medicine, even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to stop.

If you miss a dose

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule.
• Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before starting doxycycline.
• Doxycycline is generally avoided in later pregnancy and while breastfeeding, as it can permanently discolor a baby's developing teeth and affect bone growth.

• Tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or any other tetracycline antibiotic.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you have myasthenia gravis.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking isotretinoin for acne.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Tell your healthcare professional if this medicine is for a child under 8 years old, as it is generally not recommended in young children.

Important warnings

• Doxycycline can irritate your throat or esophagus if it gets stuck there. Always take it with a full glass of water and stay upright for 1 to 2 hours afterward. Do not take it right before bed.
• Doxycycline can make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight, leading to a bad sunburn. Limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen.
• Rarely, doxycycline has caused increased pressure inside the head, with headache and vision changes. Stop the medicine and get medical help if you have a severe headache along with blurred or double vision.
• If used during the last part of pregnancy or given to young children, doxycycline can permanently discolor developing teeth and may affect bone growth.
• Serious allergic reactions and severe skin reactions have happened rarely. Get help right away if you develop a rash, especially with fever, blistering, or swelling.

• Nausea or upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Headache
• Vaginal yeast infection in women

When to get emergency help

• Chest pain, or pain or difficulty swallowing after taking a dose.
• Severe headache with blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, or trouble breathing.
• A severe skin rash, blistering, or peeling skin, especially with fever.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness.
• Watery or bloody diarrhea, especially with stomach cramps or fever.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

When to contact a healthcare professional

• If you get a bad sunburn or skin reaction after sun exposure.
• If your infection does not seem to be improving.
• If you develop ongoing diarrhea.
• If you develop joint pain, muscle pain, or a new rash.

• Take doxycycline with food to reduce stomach upset.
• Do not take antacids, calcium supplements, or iron supplements at the same time as doxycycline; space them out as far apart as possible if you need both.
• Tell the Care365 care team about all other medicines you take, especially blood thinners, seizure medicines, and birth control pills, as doxycycline can interact with these.
• Alcohol may reduce how well doxycycline works, so it is best to avoid or limit it during treatment.

• Store at room temperature, protected from light.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Return unused or expired medicine to your pharmacy for safe disposal.