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Doxycycline, abbreviated Doryx, is an antibiotic used to treat diseases caused by bacterial or protozoa infections. This antibiotic is also effective in the prevention and treatment of malaria when combined with quinine. Doryx can be taken orally.
1. What does Doryx do?
Doryx is known as a tetracycline antibiotic, which works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It is used to:
Treat many bacterial infections, including those that cause acne. Prevent malaria. Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections and do not work for viral infections (such as the common cold, flu). It should be noted that using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause them to gradually wear out against infections (antibiotic resistance).
2. Instructions for using Doryx
It is best to take Doryx on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, usually at a frequency of 1-2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Take the medicine with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you have an upset stomach, you can try taking the medicine with food or milk. However, doxycycline may no longer work as effectively if you take it with food, milk, or anything high in calcium. So ask your doctor or pharmacist about the most effective way to take your medicine. After taking the medicine, wait at least 10 minutes before lying down to rest.
Take Doryx 2 - 3 hours before or after taking any product containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, or bismuth subsalicylate. Some specific examples include:
Antacids Quinapril didanosine solution Vitamins/minerals Dairy products, e.g. raw milk/yogurt Calcium rich juices. These products will bind to doxycycline, preventing the body from fully absorbing the drug.
For the prevention of malaria, Doryx is usually given once a day. Take the first dose 1-2 days before traveling to an endemic area or as directed by your doctor. Continue taking Doryx daily while in a malaria endemic area. Once you have returned home, you should continue to take the medicine for another 4 weeks. If you are unable to complete your doxycycline dosing schedule as directed, contact your doctor to be checked.
Swallow the capsule whole, do not crush or chew the medicine. If you have trouble swallowing, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on the cooled apple sauce and take immediately as directed. For the tablet form, you can divide the pill carefully, then mix it and take it right away like a capsule. Make sure not to crush or damage the tablet when dividing the tablet. Do not crush or mix the medicine for some time before taking it immediately. Do not chew the mixture to avoid releasing the medicine too quickly, increasing the risk of side effects. Drink an extra glass of cool water after each dose to make sure the medicine is completely swallowed.
Doryx dosage is based on each patient's medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dose may also depend on weight.
For best effect, take Doryx antibiotic at evenly spaced times. Taking your medication at the same time each day will help you remember better.
Continue taking Doryx until the prescribed amount is used up, even if the symptoms are gone after a few days. Stopping the medication too soon will allow bacteria to continue to grow, leading to a re-infection.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.
3. Side effects
When taking the drug, you may experience some side effects as follows:
Abdominal pain Diarrhea Nausea Vomiting. If any of these symptoms persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
It should be noted that when you were prescribed Doryx , your doctor judged that the benefit of treatment outweighed the risk of side effects. There are still many cases where this drug is safe to use without serious side effects.
You also need to tell your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects, including:
Pain/difficulty swallowing Signs of kidney problems (eg change in the amount of urine) . In rare cases, Doryx can cause a serious increase in pressure inside the skull (increased intracranial pressure). The risk of this side effect is higher for women of childbearing age who are overweight or have a history of intracranial hypertension. If intracranial hypertension develops, it usually disappears after doxycycline is discontinued; however there is a risk of permanent vision loss or blindness. Get medical attention immediately if you see the following signs:
Persistent/severe headache Vision changes, such as blurred vision, double vision, decreased vision, sudden blindness Persistent nausea/vomiting. Another rare case is Doryx causing severe diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile - a drug-resistant bacteria. This condition is more likely to occur during treatment or several weeks to months after stopping treatment. Note, do not use antidiarrheal drugs or opioid drugs to avoid making the disease worse. Also, tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Persistent diarrhea Abdominal pain Cramping Blood/mucus in the stool.
Long-term or frequent repeated use of this medicine may lead to oral thrush or vaginal yeast infection. So contact your doctor if you notice:
White patches in your mouth Change in vaginal discharge New and unusual symptoms. It is very unlikely that a serious allergic reaction to Doryx will occur. However, get medical help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction such as:
Persistent fever that won't go down Swollen lymph nodes Rash Itching or swelling, especially in the face, tongue or throat area Severe dizziness Difficulty breathing. In addition, if you experience other side effects not listed above, you should also contact your doctor or pharmacist for help.
4. Caution when using Doryx
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to doxycycline, or to other tetracyclines (such as minocycline) or to any other allergic conditions.
Doryx may contain inactive (inactivated) ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other medical problems. Users can ask their pharmacist for more specific information.
Your doctor or pharmacist should also know your medical history before prescribing medication, especially for:
Difficulty swallowing Esophageal problems (such as a hiatal hernia or reflux/burst). Doryx may make live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) inactive. So do not have any vaccinations/vaccinations while using Doryx unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Before performing medical or dental surgery, it is necessary to inform the medical staff that you are taking this medicine.
Doryx may make you more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, medical experts advise users to:
Limit time in the sun Avoid tanning and ultraviolet lamps, extremely bright lights (for filming) Apply sunscreen and wear jackets when going out out side. Tell your doctor right away if your skin burns or blisters/redness. Children younger than 8 years old may be more sensitive to the side effects of doxycycline, especially tooth discoloration. Tetracycline infection also occurs in older children and young adults. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving your child treatment with this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Women should not become pregnant while taking doxycycline because it can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment with this medicine.
Doryx may also pass into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
5. Interactions between Doryx with other drugs
Drug interactions can change the way Doryx works or increase your risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all medications you are taking (including over-the-counter and herbal medicines), then share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not arbitrarily start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.
Some medications that may interact with Doryx include:
Oral retinoids (such as acitretin, isotretinoin) Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital) Blood thinners (such as warfarin) Digoxin Antiepileptic drugs (such as phenytoin) ) Strontium. Doryx may also interfere with certain tests (including urinary catecholamine levels), leading to erroneous results. Therefore, users should tell laboratory staff and all doctors if they are using this drug.
6. Some other notes when using Doryx
6.1. Overdose If you have overdosed, call a poison control center right away for instructions on what to do. Call 911 for severe symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing.
6.2. Missed dose In case you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, you can skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the usual time and do not need to double your dose to make up for it.
6.3. Storage Store Doryx at room temperature, away from direct light and moisture. Different brands of Doryx will have different storage requirements. Check the product label or ask your pharmacist for storage instructions. Do not store medicine in the bathroom. Keep medicine out of reach of children and even pets.
Dispose of the product appropriately when it has expired or is no longer needed. Do not flush medication down the toilet or down the drain. Taking expired tetracycline related medicines can lead to serious illness.
6.4. Note Do not arbitrarily share Doryx drugs with others.
If you are taking Doryx to prevent malaria, you must understand that you can still get the disease even after taking the medicine. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to prevent malaria. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes, especially from dusk to dawn, by:
Stay in well-covered areas Wear protective clothing Use insect repellent and bed nets. Doryx is only prescribed for your current condition. Do not self-medicate if you later develop another infection.
Routine tests (eg, complete blood count, liver/kidney function) should be performed periodically to monitor disease progression or check for side effects.
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Reference source: webmd.com