Doxycycline

Doxycycline belongs to a class of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics, and it is used to treat a very wide range of different bacterial infections in the body. In addition to this, it is often used for malaria prophylaxis (prevention) when travelling to places where malaria infection is possible, and it may also be used as a treatment for acne. Doxycycline works by fighting the bacteria responsible for the infection, thereby treating it.

Doxycycline comes in the form of capsules, which need to be swallowed whole alongside a full glass of water. Your doctor will tell you how much to take, and this decision will be made based on how serious your infection is, as well as other factors. In some cases, a tissue sample may be needed in order to determine whether or not this medicine will be active against the bacteria that caused your infection.

The treatment can vary greatly, and you will need to listen carefully to your doctors instructions. It is possible that you will be told to take a dose of 200mg on the first day of treatment, with 1 capsule administered every 12 hours. The prescribing doctor may then direct you to take a reduced dosage (100mg per day). Patients treating serious infections may need to continue taking 100mg, twice per day (at 12 hour intervals). Malaria prophylaxis generally requires a dose of 100mg per day. Treatment may commence 2 days before travelling, and must be continued for the entire duration of the trip, as well as for a period of time after returning, (possibly 2 weeks).

Patients who have been prescribed Doxycycline capsules should note that some side effects may occur, such as:

• Nausea
• Flushing
• Stomach upset
• Pain in the mouth
• An itchy sensation affecting the vagina or rectum

Inform your doctor about any side effects which you notice. If any serious side effects occur, you should immediately consult your doctor. Examples of this include oesophagitis, appetite loss or bloody diarrhoea. This is not a complete list of reactions, and other side effects are also possible.

Taking this medicine can cause the skin to become sensitive to sunlight, which could make it easy to become sunburnt. Avoid exposure to the sun and sun tanning lamps while you are taking this medicine.

It is necessary for your to tell your doctor if you have a history of problems affecting the oesophagus or swallowing difficulties.