This medication is used to treat a certain type of skin condition called rosacea. It helps to reduce the number of pimples and bumps on the face, but it may not decrease redness. Doxycycline belongs to the class of antibiotics known as tetracyclines. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may worsen rosacea.

This product is not approved to treat other types of bacterial infections. In addition, it will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is best taken by mouth on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, usually once daily in the morning or as directed by your doctor. Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the capsules. Doing so can keep the drug from being properly absorbed. To lower the chance of irritating the esophagus and stomach, take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medication, and do not take it right before bedtime. 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), or ask your doctor if you should switch to another medication.

Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking any medications containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include antacids, quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), vitamins/minerals, and sucralfate. Follow the same instructions if you also take bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc. They bind with doxycycline, preventing its full absorption into your bloodstream.

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.

Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of time. Do not skip doses or take more of this medication than prescribed. Stopping the medication too early or skipping doses may allow bacteria to continue to grow and increase the risk of developing resistant bacteria that are more difficult to treat.

Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or mild headache 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: sunburn (sun sensitivity), difficult/painful swallowing, brown/gray tooth discoloration, blue/gray/brown discoloration of the skin/lips/tongue/gums, unusual tiredness, new signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat), change in the amount of urine, pink urine.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: hearing changes (e.g., ringing in the ears, decreased hearing), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual/severe headache, vision changes (e.g., blurred vision), severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of 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 (fungal infections). 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 rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, skin lesions/sores, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing, new or worsening swelling/pain in the joints, swollen glands, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to tetracycline or related drugs (e.g., minocycline); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, problems swallowing, esophagus problems (e.g., hiatal hernia, reflux disease-GERD), stomach surgery (e.g., gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery), lupus.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using doxycycline.

This medication should not be used in children younger than 8 years of age because it may cause permanent tooth discoloration and other problems. Tooth discoloration has also occurred in older children and young adults. Consult your doctor for more information.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy because of possible harm to an unborn baby. It should not be used in women or men trying to have a child. Women of child-bearing age and men should use effective birth control while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

This medication passes into breast milk in very small amounts. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use section.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. 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: acitretin, isotretinoin, strontium, tretinoin taken by mouth.

If you are currently using any 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, phenobarbital, phenytoin), digoxin, live bacterial vaccines, penicillins, warfarin.

This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. You may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

This product can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

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.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

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 that case.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

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.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Taking outdated tetracycline-related drugs can result in serious illness. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.