Doxycycline 100mg

About Doxycycline

Description

Doxycycline belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics. It may be used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria, including Malaria, when chloroquine is not effective.

Suitability

Do not take Doxycycline if:

• have taken Doxycycline or any other antibiotic before and suffered an allergic reaction (e.g. rash, itching, swelling of the face, fainting and breathing problems)
• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine as Doxycycline could harm the baby

Important Interactions

You must tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, in particular:

• penicillin antibiotics (used to treat infections)
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
• anticoagulants (used to thin the blood, e.g. warfarin)
• quinapril (used to lower high blood pressure)
• kaolin (used to treat diarrhoea)
• sucralfate (used to treat and prevent stomach ulcers)
• oral contraceptives, as this medicine may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective - you should use additional contraceptive precautions whilst taking this medicine and for 7 days after stopping
• barbiturates (strong sleeping tablets, e.g. phenobarbital)
• ergotamine or methysergide (used to treat migraines or headaches)
• typhoid vaccine (used to prevent typhoid fever if travelling to infected areas of the world)
• carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone or other drugs used to control epilepsy
• ciclosporin (used to affect the body's immune response following organ transplants)
• methoxyflurane (an anaesthetic) - if you need an operation, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Doxycycline
• methotrexate (used to treat cancer, psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis)
• medicines such as antacids (indigestion tablets or liquids) containing aluminium, calcium, magnesium or other medicines containing iron, bismuth or zinc salts, should not be taken at the same time as your medicine, as absorption of your medicine may be reduced
• retinoids (used to treat various skin conditions)

Side Effects

• angioedema (swelling)
• diarrhoea
• headache
• hypersensitivity
• nausea
• photosensitivity reaction to sunlight
• skin reactions
• vomiting

Please Note

All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet (PIL). When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.

Alternatives

The right anti-malarial you require will depend on where you are travelling to. Anytime Doctor also provides Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil). Other anti-malarial medicines include chloroquine (also known as Avloclor tablets or Nivaquine syrup) and proguanil (also known as Paludrine). The major disadvantage of these two medicines is that many strains of malaria are now resistant, so the drugs are no longer effective. We therefore do not offer chloroquine and proguanil alone. We also do not offer Lariam (mefloquine).

Looking after your medicine

Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.

References

Doxycycline 100mg Patient Information Leaflet

British National Formulary: doxycycline

When do I need to start taking Doxycycline for malaria prevention?

Please always read the patient information leaflet and follow the prescribing advice provided by your doctor. Usually you should start taking Doxycycline for malaria prevention 2 days before entering malaria area.

When can I stop taking Doxycycline for protection against malaria?

Again, please always follow the prescribing information provided by your doctor. Normally you need to keep taking Doxycycline until 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area.

How many Doxycycline tablets do I need per trip to protect against malaria?

Please see the following table for the usual recommendations for using Doxycycline for malaria prevention:

• 1 week trip: 37 tablets
• 2 week trip: 44 tablets
• 3 week trip: 51 tablets
• 4 week trip: 58 tablets
• 8 week trip: 86 tablets
• 12 week trip: 114 tablets

We can provide Doxycycline tablets for antimalarial protection for other trip durations. Please inform your doctor during your consultation.