Doxycycline is classified as a tetracycline antibiotic that can be used to treat streptococci and staphylococci, Salmonella, intestinal and dysentery bacilli, and sexually transmitted infections. It is also able to be used in the treatment of complex pathologies of the body in combination with other antibiotics.
Composition and form of release
The active component of the drug is doxycycline hyclate.
The medicine is produced in the form of:
- Gelatin capsules
- Tablets for oral administration with a dosage of either 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg
- A solution for injection
Indications for use
Doxycycline can be used for the following:
- Infectious pathologies of the respiratory tract
- Infections of the gastrointestinal tract
- Infectious diseases of the visual apparatus
- Common sexually transmitted diseases
- Sepsis and/or the prevention of infection after surgery
- For the prevention of malaria after travel (especially in those with multiple mosquito bites)
- Skin diseases (e.g., abscesses, phlegmon, furunculosis, acne)
Furthermore, the antibiotic is used in the complex therapy of trachoma, ornithosis, pertussis, brucellosis, psittacosis, and rare infections.
Instructions for use
In the form of tablets, the drug is prescribed by the attending physician depending on the diagnosis. The course of treatment and dosage depend on the sex, age, and even body weight of the patient. The drug should be taken after meals.
Contraindications
The use of the drug has severe limitations, as follows:
- Individual intolerance to this antibiotic and/or other drugs of the tetracycline group
- Pregnancy
- In children younger than eight years of age
- Porphyria
Doxycycline easily penetrates into the placenta and mother’s milk, so patients shouldn’t take the medicine during breastfeeding. Taking doxycycline with caution in the case of liver failure is essential.
Side effects
As one of the most powerful drugs of this type, doxycycline has many possible side effects. Among them are the following:
- Dizziness and headaches, swelling, nausea, and vomiting
- Hearing impairment (rarely); sound effects (ringing and tinnitus)
- Deterioration of appetite; anorexia
- Impairment of visual functions
- Allergies; skin rashes; itching
- Changes in blood composition; coagulation disorders
- Abdominal pain; stool disorders
- Tachycardia; significant changes in blood pressure
- Impaired renal function; hepatitis
Special instructions
In order to decrease the likelihood of side effects as much as possible, it is best to adhere to the following rules when taking doxycycline:
- Avoid ultraviolet radiation and sunlight during the entire treatment period, because the influence of ultraviolet light increases the development of photosensitization
- Check the condition of the liver and internal organs
- Control the level of nitrogen in the urea and blood composition
- Pay attention to the fact that the drug is able to mask the course of syphilis
The drug is not recommended for use in combination with antibiotics that affect the body by changing the synthesis of the cell wall. Doxycycline is able to reduce and block the effectiveness of other drugs.