Doxycycline 100mg

About Doxycycline

Description

Doxycycline capsules contain the active substance doxycycline as doxycycline monohydrate. Doxycycline is an antibiotic belonging to a group of medicines called tetracyclines. It is used to treat many different types of infections in different parts of the body including Non-Specific Urethritis (NSU/NGU).

Suitability

Do not take Doxycycline:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as minocycline, tetracycline or oxytetracycline or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in the patient information leaflet
• are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are breastfeeding

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Doxycycline capsules must not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 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:

• carbamazepine, phenytoin (medicines used to control epilepsy) and barbiturates (used to control epilepsy or as a sedative)
• warfarin or coumarins (used to prevent blood clots)
• oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• penicillin antibiotics (used to treat infections)
• ciclosporin (a medicine used to affect the body’s immune response)
• antacids (indigestion remedies), iron preparations, oral zinc or bismuth - they can reduce the effectiveness of Doxycycline
• 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

Alternatives

Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days

Side Effects

• angioedema (swelling)
• diarrhoea
• headache
• feeling or being sick
• skin reactions
• photosensitivity reaction to sunlight
• hypersensitivity

Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects after taking this medicine, especially sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body).

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

Azithromycin 1g as a single dose then 500mg once daily for the next 2 days (three days total treatment).

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

What is the best antibiotic for urethritis?

Doxycycline is the first line treatment for uncomplicated NSU/NGU. Single dose azithromycin is not recommended due to widespread macrolide resistance of main causative organisms of NSU/NGU. Azithromycin is only recommended as a 3-day treatment as an alternative to Doxycycline.

What if Doxycycline doesn’t clear up NSU/NGU?

Further combination treatments are available for the treatment of recurrent or persistent NSU/NGU, if the first line treatment with Doxycycline has not been effective. You are also advised to abstain from sexual intercourse until 14 days after the start of treatment and until symptoms have fully resolved to ensure the infection is not passed on.

Can you get urethritis treatment over the counter?

NSU/NGU treatment such as Doxycycline is not available over the counter in the UK. This means that you cannot purchase a treatment course from your pharmacy without a prescription. Doxycycline can only be dispensed by your pharmacist once a doctor has prescribed it for you.