What is this medicine?
DOXYCYCLINE (dox i SYE kleen) is a tetracycline antibiotic. It kills certain bacteria or stops their growth. It is used to treat many kinds of infections, like dental, skin, respiratory, and urinary tract infections. It also treats acne, Lyme disease, malaria, and certain sexually transmitted infections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Adoxa 100MG Tablets | DOAK DERMATOLOGICS | 30/$376.96 or 90/$1082.75 |
| Adoxa 150MG Capsules | PHARMADERM | 60/$831.8 or 180/$2406.1 |
| Adoxa 75MG Tablets | DOAK DERMATOLOGICS | 30/$353.91 or 90/$1019.81 |
| Doryx 100MG Enteric-coated Tablets | WARNER CHILCOTT PROF PROD DIV | 30/$268.72 or 90/$744.45 |
| Doryx 150MG Enteric-coated Tablets | WARNER CHILCOTT PROF PROD DIV | 60/$869.93 or 180/$2523.67 |
| Doryx 75MG Enteric-coated Tablets | WARNER CHILCOTT PROF PROD DIV | 30/$230.34 or 90/$649.41 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate 100MG Capsules | WEST-WARD | 30/$12.99 or 60/$19.97 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate 100MG Tablets | WATSON LABS | 20/$13.99 or 60/$41.97 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate 20MG Tablets | MUTUAL PHARMACEUTICAL | 30/$31.99 or 90/$78.98 |
| Doxycycline Hyclate 50MG Capsules | WATSON LABS | 20/$12.99 or 60/$31.97 |
| Doxycycline Monohydrate 100MG Tablets | PAR | 50/$229.98 or 150/$618.65 |
| Doxycycline Monohydrate 150MG Tablets | PAR | 30/$245.99 or 90/$689.95 |
| Doxycycline Monohydrate 50MG Capsules | PAR | 30/$29.99 or 90/$79.97 |
| Doxycycline Monohydrate 50MG Tablets | LANNETT | 100/$219.99 or 300/$539.94 |
| Monodox 100MG Capsules | AQUA PHARMACEUTICALS | 50/$646.21 or 150/$1888.32 |
| Monodox 75MG Capsules | AQUA PHARMACEUTICALS | 100/$851.93 or 300/$2434.08 |
| Oracea 40MG Delayed-release Capsules | GALDERMA | 30/$299.99 or 90/$869.99 |
| Periostat 20MG Tablets | GALDERMA | 100/$371.25 or 300/$1100.04 |
| Vibramycin 100MG Capsules | PFIZER U.S. | 20/$135.59 or 60/$391.34 |
| Vibramycin 25MG/5ML Suspension | PFIZER U.S. | 60/$36.28 or 180/$84.65 |
| Vibramycin 50MG/5ML Syrup | PFIZER U.S. | 480/$277.15 or 960/$538.94 |
| Vibra-Tabs 100MG Tablets | PFIZER U.S. | 20/$135.59 or 60/$391.34 |
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- difficulty breathing
- fever
- itching in the rectal or genital area
- pain on swallowing
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- severe stomach pain or cramps
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusually weak or tired
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- nausea, vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. It is best to take this medicine without food, but if it upsets your stomach take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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What may interact with this medicine?
- antacids
- barbiturates
- birth control pills
- bismuth subsalicylate
- carbamazepine
- methoxyflurane
- other antibiotics
- phenytoin
- vitamins that contain iron
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to doxycycline or any tetracycline.
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve.
Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.
Do not take this medicine just before going to bed. It may not dissolve properly when you lay down and can cause pain in your throat. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine to also help reduce irritation in your throat.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.
If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted infection, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Your sexual partner may also need treatment.
Avoid antacids, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and iron products for 4 hours before and 2 hours after taking a dose of this medicine.
If you are using this medicine to prevent malaria, you should still protect yourself from contact with mosquitos. Stay in screened-in areas, use mosquito nets, keep your body covered, and use an insect repellent.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- liver disease
- long exposure to sunlight like working outdoors
- stomach problems like colitis
- an unusual or allergic reaction to doxycycline, tetracycline antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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