DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Doxycycline Suspension (dox-ee-SYE-kleen)
Brand Name: Vibramycin

Doxycycline Suspension is used for:

Treating certain bacterial infections. It may be used in combination with other medicines to treat amoeba infections in the intestines or acne. It may be used to prevent certain types of malaria in travellers who will be visiting malaria-infected areas for less than 4 months. It may also be used to prevent or slow the progression of anthrax after exposure.

Doxycycline Suspension is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms (eg, white blood cells) to destroy the bacteria.

Do NOT use Doxycycline Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Doxycycline Suspension or another tetracycline (eg, minocycline)
• you are currently taking acitretin, isotretinoin, or a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Doxycycline Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Doxycycline Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have the blood disease porphyria

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Doxycycline Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), iron, or urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate) because they may decrease Doxycycline Suspension's effectiveness
• Acitretin, isotretinoin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane or anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the side effects and toxic effects may be increased by Doxycycline Suspension
• Penicillins (eg, amoxicillin) or birth control pills because their effectiveness may be decreased by Doxycycline Suspension

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Doxycycline Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Doxycycline Suspension:

Use Doxycycline Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Doxycycline Suspension by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Shake well before each use.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• Do not take an antacid that has aluminum, calcium, or magnesium in it; bismuth-containing products; iron; urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate); or multivitamins with minerals within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Doxycycline Suspension.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Doxycycline Suspension for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• Drink plenty of fluids with Doxycycline Suspension to wash it down and avoid the risk of throat irritation.
• Do not use Doxycycline Suspension if it is outdated or has been stored incorrectly.
• If you miss a dose of Doxycycline Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxycycline Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Be sure to use Doxycycline Suspension for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Doxycycline Suspension only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Doxycycline Suspension may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• If you are taking Doxycycline Suspension to prevent malaria, please note that no malaria medicine, including Doxycycline Suspension, guarantees protection against malaria. Stay in well-screened areas, use mosquito nets, cover the body with clothing, and use insect repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Doxycycline Suspension. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Doxycycline Suspension may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Doxycycline Suspension. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Do not use Doxycycline Suspension for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Doxycycline Suspension may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Doxycycline Suspension.
• Diabetes patients - Doxycycline Suspension may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Doxycycline Suspension. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Doxycycline Suspension with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.
• Doxycycline Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 8 years old; permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) may occur.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Doxycycline Suspension has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Doxycycline Suspension while you are pregnant. Doxycycline Suspension is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Doxycycline Suspension.

Possible side effects of Doxycycline Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; indigestion; inflammation and redness of the tongue; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; throat irritation; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; headache and/or blurred vision; prolonged or severe headache; severe diarrhea; severe skin reaction to the sun; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Doxycycline Suspension:

Store Doxycycline Suspension at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Doxycycline Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Doxycycline Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Doxycycline Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Doxycycline Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.