Vibramycin

Vibramycin

     * Generic Name: doxycycline calcium oral
     * Brand Name: Vibramycin


     * What is doxycycline?
     * What are the possible side effects of doxycycline?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       doxycycline?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       doxycycline?
     * How should I take doxycycline?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking doxycycline?
     * What other drugs will affect doxycycline?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is doxycycline?

   Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that fights
   bacteria in the body.

   Doxycycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such
   as acne, urinary tract infections, intestinal infections, eye
   infections, gonorrhea, chlamydia, periodontitis (gum
   disease), and others.

   Doxycycline is also used to treat blemishes, bumps, and acne-like
   lesions caused by rosacea. Doxycycline will not treat facial
   redness caused by rosacea.

   Some forms of doxycycline are used to prevent malaria, to treat
   anthrax, or to treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or
   lice.

   Doxycycline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of doxycycline?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
   (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a
   severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes,
   skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering
   and peeling).

   Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can
   affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever,
   swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness,
   unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may
   occur several weeks after you began using doxycycline.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
     * throat irritation, trouble swallowing;
     * chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;
     * little or no urination;
     * low white blood cell counts--fever, swollen glands, body aches,
       weakness, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
     * increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in
       your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your
       eyes; or
     * signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper
       stomach pain (that may spread to your back), tiredness, nausea or
       vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice
       (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
     * mild diarrhea;
     * skin rash or itching; or
     * vaginal itching or discharge.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about doxycycline?

   You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to any
   tetracycline antibiotic.

   Children younger than 8 years old should use doxycycline only in cases
   of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause
   permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children

   Using doxycycline during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause
   permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.

   Vibramycin Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Fungal Infections: Fungus Among Us

   Fungal Infections Slideshow: Fungus Among Us
   RxList

   Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
   Hepatitis C: Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment

   Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking doxycycline?

   You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to doxycycline or
   other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline,
   tetracycline, or tigecycline.

   Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * asthma or sulfite allergy;
     * increased pressure inside your skull; or
     * if you also take isotretinoin, seizure medicine, or a blood
       thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

   If you are using doxycycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test
   you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another
   sexually transmitted disease.

   Taking this medicine during pregnancy may affect tooth and bone
   development in the unborn baby. Taking doxycycline during the last half
   of pregnancy can cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the
   baby's life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become
   pregnant.

   Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your
   doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm
   with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

   Doxycycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth
   development in a nursing infant. Do not breast-feed while you are
   taking doxycycline.

   Doxycycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in
   children younger than 8 years old. Children should use doxycycline only
   in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions such as anthrax or
   Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The benefit of treating a serious
   condition may outweigh any risks to the child's tooth development.

How should I take doxycycline?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
   medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as
   directed.

   Take doxycycline with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids
   while you are taking doxycycline.

   Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your
   medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these
   instructions.

   Most brands of doxycyline may be taken with food or milk if the
   medicine upsets your stomach.

   Different brands of doxycycline may have different instructions about
   taking them with or without food.

   Take Oracea on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours
   after a meal.

   You may need to split a doxycycline tablet to get the correct dose.
   Follow your doctor's instructions.

   Swallow a delayed-release capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, chew,
   break, or open it.

   Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
   special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
   dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

   If you take doxycycline to prevent malaria: Start taking the medicine 1
   or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue
   taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 4 weeks
   after you leave the area.

   Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your
   symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of
   infection that is resistant to medication. Doxycycline will not treat a
   viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

   Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label
   has passed. Using expired doxycycline can cause damage to your kidneys.

   Vibramycin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Fungal Infections: Fungus Among Us

   Fungal Infections Slideshow: Fungus Among Us
   RxList

   Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
   Hepatitis C: Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment

   Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is
   almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking doxycycline?

   Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements,
   antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking
   doxycycline.

   Avoid taking any other antibiotics with doxycycline unless your doctor
   has told you to.

   Doxycycline could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or
   tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or
   higher) when you are outdoors.

   Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
   infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
   doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you
   to.

What other drugs will affect doxycycline?

   Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time.
   Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which
   may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

   Other drugs may affect doxycycline, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your
   doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or
   stop using.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about doxycycline.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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