Doxycycline Calcium Oral

Uses This medication is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including those that cause acne. This medication is known as a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This medication is also used to prevent malaria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This drug may also be used to treat a certain skin condition (rosacea).

How to use Doxycycline Calcium Oral Take this medication by mouth as directed. Doxycycline is best taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Some manufacturers state it can be taken with food or milk if you develop an upset stomach, however doxycycline might be less effective if taken with food or milk (or other products high in calcium). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medication. If you are taking the delayed-release capsules, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, the capsule may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto cool applesauce and taken immediately as directed. Do not prepare a supply in advance. Do not chew the food/medication mixture because doing so may cause the drug to be released too quickly, increasing side effects. Drink a glass of cool water after each dose to ensure complete swallowing of the medication. The liquid suspension form of this medicine must be shaken well before using. For liquid products, use a medication measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking any medications containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc. Some examples include quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), vitamins/minerals, antacids, sucralfate, and bismuth subsalicylate. These medications react with doxycycline, preventing its full absorption into your bloodstream. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens over the next two weeks. When using to prevent malaria, this medication is usually taken once daily. Take the first dose of this medication 1-2 days before travel to an area where you may be exposed to malaria, or take as directed by your doctor. Continue to take this medication daily while in the malarial area. Upon returning home you should keep taking this medication for 4 more weeks. If you are unable to finish this course of doxycycline, contact your doctor. If this medication is being used to prevent malaria, it is important to understand that it is still possible to get the disease even if you have used this medication. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a fever. It is best to start treating malaria early.

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other tetracycline; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney problems, trouble swallowing, esophagus problems (e.g., hiatal hernia, GERD).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
This drug should not be used by children under 8 because treatment may lead to permanently discolored teeth or other problems. Caution is also advised in older children for similar reasons. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this medication.
This drug passes into breast milk and has had undesirable effects on nursing infants. Therefore, taking this medication while breast-feeding is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. It is important to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes when trying to prevent malaria. Avoid contact with mosquitoes, especially from dusk to dawn, by staying in well-screened areas, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellent and bed nets. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Different brands/strengths of this medication may have different storage requirements. Read the package labeling or ask your pharmacist for the storage requirements for the product you are using. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Stomach upset, mild diarrhea, nausea, headache, or vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes/skin, vision changes, mental/mood changes.
Doxycycline may make you more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive) while you are taking it and for 1-2 days after you finish it. Avoid prolonged/direct sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps during this time. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Symptoms of photosensitivity include sunburn that is much quicker/more severe than usual and tingling of the hands/feet/nose.
This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to resistant bacteria. This condition may occur weeks after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.
Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: strontium, acitretin, tretinoin taken by mouth.
If you are currently using either of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting doxycycline.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), digoxin, isotretinoin, other antibiotics, warfarin, live bacterial vaccines.
This medicine may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. You may need to use additional form(s) of reliable birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.