Doxycycline is a powerful antibiotic that belongs to the tetracyclines drug class. It is commonly prescribed to treat a number of conditions that are caused by bacterial infections, such as certain types of acne, periodontitis, or chlamydia. Patients who suffer from rosacea can also benefit from using doxycycline to minimize the amount of blemishes and lesions caused by the disease. In some cases, doxycycline can also be used for malaria prevention as well as anthrax treatment.
Who Can Use Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a fairly safe medication, but some groups of patients should still refrain from taking it. Do not use doxycycline if you are allergic to any antibiotic from the tetracyclines group. Doxycycline is only to be used in young children if the benefits of using the medication clearly outweigh the risks. Doxycycline is known to permanently change the coloring of teeth from white to yellow or gray when used in children.
Pregnant women should avoid using doxycycline as it is known to affect the unborn baby. Doxycycline can pass into breast milk, so breastfeeding women are advised to only use doxycycline in extreme cases when the conditions they suffer from is life-threatening. Possible side effects for the baby include impaired development of bones and certain organs as well as permanently discolored teeth later in life. These side effects could occur both in unborn babies and those breastfed by mothers who are using doxycycline.
Before You Start Using Doxycycline
The best way to make sure that a medication is safe for you is to consult your healthcare provider about it. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are currently using blood thinning or anti-seizure medications. Patients who suffer from kidney/liver disorders, asthma, or intracranial hypertension (high blood pressure inside the skull) may not be able to use doxycycline or have to use it with particular caution. Thus, make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of your medical history, particularly if it includes any of the above mentioned conditions.
Women who lead an active sexual life should be aware that doxycycline interferes with many birth control pills, making them significantly less effective. Consequently, it is important to use a different birth control method during your doxycycline treatment to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
How to Use Doxycycline Safely?
Before you start taking doxycycline, be sure to have read and understood the instructions on your prescription label. If you find something unclear or confusing, clarify the issue with your doctor or local pharmacist first and only start using the drug once you can clearly follow the instructions.
Do not change your doxycycline dose without consulting your healthcare provider about it first. Be sure to keep taking doxycycline for the whole duration of your treatment course and do not stop using it even if your symptoms completely disappear within the first several days of taking the drug. If you skip doses or stop taking the medication altogether before your treatment course is supposed to be over, your infection may return and become more different to treat with doxycycline and similar antibiotics.
Normally, doxycycline is to be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach, but some patients need to take it with milk to minimize the gastrointestinal distress caused by the drug. Some doxycycline brands can also be taken after a meal if you experience diarrhea and/or vomiting after taking doxycycline on an empty stomach.
Patients who have trouble swallowing doxycycline in pill form can crush regular tablets or open regular capsules to sprinkle the powder onto food that’s easy to swallow. It is best to drink a glass of water after taking the medication this way. In some rare cases when swallowing isn’t possible at all, doxycycline can be administered through injections.
Some people take doxycycline to prevent malaria when travelling to countries where the disease is common. When using the drug for malaria prevention, be sure to start taking it several days before you arrive at a high-risk area so that a certain concentration of it builds up in your bloodstream by then. Doxycycline is to be used daily for the whole duration of your stay and for at least a month after that.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Doxycycline?
You may not be aware that you are allergic to tetracyclines before you start taking doxycycline. If you develop an allergic reaction to the medication, you may experience the following symptoms: hives, trouble breathing, and swollen areas of your body. In some rare cases, people develop skin reactions to the drug that cause painful skin rashes, fever, sore throat, and a burning sensation in the eyes. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction include swollen glands, muscle pains, sudden unexplained bruising of the skin, and extreme weakness.
Be sure to consult your doctor about using doxycycline immediately if you experience one or more of the following side effects shortly after starting your treatment course:
- Severe gastrointestinal distress
- Swollen and irritated throat
- Chest pains accompanied by trouble breathing
- Trouble urinating
- Severe headaches
- Vision/hearing problems
- Jaundice (yellow eyes and/or skin)
- Extreme loss of appetite
The more common adverse reactions to doxycycline include mild diarrhea and nausea, mild skin rash, as well as vaginal discharge in women. These adverse reactions are signs of your body adjusting itself to the regular intake of doxycycline and should go away on their own within several weeks after starting your doxycycline treatment. However, be sure to consult your healthcare provider about these mild side effects if they don’t go away after several weeks and/or significantly impair your quality of life.
What Else Should I Know about Doxycycline?
Doxycycline can interact with certain other medications, so it is important that you inform your healthcare provider of every prescription and OTC medication, as well as herbal supplement and vitamin that you are currently using. Without this knowledge, your doctor will be unable to determine whether it is safe for you to start using the drug.
Be sure to store doxycycline in a dry, dark place that’s out of reach for children and pets. Do not share doxycycline with others even if their symptoms are similar to yours and only use doxycycline for the purpose indicated on your prescription label. Dispose of any doxycycline supplies you have left after your treatment is over. Do not take doxycycline that is past its expiration date, as it could cause permanent damage to your kidneys.
Doxycycline can cause your skin color to become darker temporarily. It also makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so it is a good idea to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during your treatment course.
Product Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This article shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with a medical professional. It is important to analyze the risks before consuming Doxycycline and make sure that there aren’t any contraindications. You may need to undergo a physical examination and/or certain laboratory tests to assess the state of your health. While this drug is tolerated well by most patients, it should be safe in your particular situation. Being monitored by a medical specialist is the best way to avoid any unwanted adverse effects and complications.