Product Details

What you need to know before you take Doxycycline

Do not take Doxycycline capsules: – if you are allergic to doxycycline, any other tetracycline antibiotic or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). – if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant – if you are breast-feeding You should not use Doxycycline capsules during periods of tooth development (pregnancy, infancy or in children below 8 years old) as such use may lead to permanent discolouration (yellow-grey-brown) or affect the proper growth of the teeth.There may be circumstances (e.g., severe or life-threatening conditions), where your physician may decide that the benefits outweigh this risk in children below 8 years and Doxycycline capsules should be prescribed. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Doxycycline if any of the following apply to you: – you are likely to be exposed to strong sunlight or uv light (e.g. on a sun bed). You should avoid exposure to strong sunlight while taking this medicine as your skin may be more sensitive to sunburn than normal. – you have kidney or liver problems. – you have myasthenia gravis (a disease which causes unusual tiredness and weakness of certain muscles, particularly in the eyelid). – you have porphyria (a rare disease of blood pigments). – you have (or have ever had) systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever).This condition may be worsened by taking Doxycycline capsules. – you are suspected as having syphilis. Your doctor will continue to monitor you after your treatment has stopped. – you have diarrhoea or usually get diarrhoea when you take antibiotics or have suffered from problems with your stomach or intestines. If you develop severe or prolonged or bloody diarrhoea during or after using Doxycycline capsules, tell your doctor immediately since it may be necessary to interrupt the treatment. This may be a sign of bowel inflammation (pseudomembranous colitis) which can occur following treatment with antibiotics. – you are taking oral retinoids as there is a higher risk of suffering from increased pressure in your skull (severe headache with change in vision) when taken with Doxycycline capsules. When used for a long duration, Doxycycline capsules may cause infections that cannot be treated with this antibiotic. Your doctor can explain the signs and symptoms of such types of infection. Other medicines and Doxycycline Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines you have obtained without a prescription. If you are taking any of the medicines listed below tell your doctor before taking Doxycycline capsules. Some medicines can reduce the effectiveness of Doxycycline capsules, these include: – Antacids (indigestion remedies), iron preparations, oral zinc or bismuth. These should not be taken at the same time of day as Doxycycline capsules. – Carbamazepine, phenytoin (medicines used to control epilepsy) and barbiturates (used to control epilepsy or as a sedative). Doxycycline capsules can affect the action of some other medicines, these include: – Increased action of warfarin or coumarins (used to prevent blood clots) – Reduced effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) – Reduced effectiveness of penicillin antibiotics (used to treat infections) – Increased blood levels of ciclosporin (a medicine used to affect the body’s immune response) If you are going to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or dental surgery, you must tell your anaesthetist or dentist that you are taking doxycycline as you may have more side effects. Taking Doxycycline with food, drink and alcohol Please see section 3 How to take Doxycycline. Alcohol may reduce the effect of Doxycycline capsules and should be avoided. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Doxycycline capsules must not be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Driving and using machines This medicine should not affect your ability to drive or use machines.