Doxycycline

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. It 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.

Important information

You should not take doxycycline 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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or tigecycline.
To make sure doxycycline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
  
• kidney disease;
  
• asthma or sulfite allergy;
  
• a history of increased pressure inside your skull;
  
• if you also take isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret); or
  
• if you take seizure medicine (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), or a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).
  

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 while using this medicine.
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 this medicine.
Children should not use this medicine. 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?

Take doxycycline exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take doxycycline with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.
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 open a Doryx capsule or break up a Doryx tablet and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of cool water right away.
Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule or tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
You may need to split the Acticlate tablet to get the correct dose. The tablet is scored so you can break it apart easily.
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 protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Doxycycline will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using doxycycline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed. Using expired doxycycline can cause damage to your kidneys.
See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Doxycycline can make you sunburn more easily. 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, stop taking this medicine and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Doxycycline side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to doxycycline: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:

• changes in your vision;
  
• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  
• fever, swollen glands, body aches, flu symptoms, weakness;
  
• skin rash, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
  
• upper stomach pain (may spread to your back), loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  
• chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;
  
• confusion, nausea and vomiting, swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating;
  
• new or worsening cough with fever, trouble breathing;
  
• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
  
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
  

Common doxycycline side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
  
• 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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect doxycycline?

Other drugs may interact with doxycycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Next → Side Effects

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• Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Dosage Information
• Drug Images
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• Support Group
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• En Español
• 812 Reviews – Add your own review/rating
• Drug class: miscellaneous antimalarials

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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.
• Disclaimer: 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.

Side Effects of metoprolol

In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of metoprolol include: cardiac failure, bradycardia, and hypotension. Other side effects include: bradycardia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to metoprolol: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by metoprolol. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

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Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking metoprolol:
More common:

• Blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common:

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• cough
• decreased urine output
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty with speaking
• dilated neck veins
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• extreme fatigue
• fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• halos around lights
• headache
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• irregular breathing
• loss of vision
• night blindness
• noisy breathing
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• rapid weight gain
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• short-term memory loss
• slow speech
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• troubled breathing
• tunnel vision
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

• Bluish color skin of the fingers or toes
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• continuing loss of appetite
• continuing or severe abdominal or stomach pain
• continuing or severe nausea and vomiting
• dark urine
• difficulty with moving
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• hoarseness
• increased frequency of urination
• itching skin
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pain or stiffness
• numbness of the fingers or toes
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• rash
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood
• weakness
• yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known:

• Black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• cool, sweaty skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking metoprolol, get emergency help immediately:
Symptoms of overdose:

• Bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
• change in consciousness
• loss of consciousness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• stopping of heart
• unconsciousness
• very drowsy or sleepy

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with metoprolol may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
Less common:

• Belching
• bloated
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• discouragement
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of indigestion
• feeling sad or empty
• full feeling
• inability to have or keep an erection
• irritability
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nightmares
• pain in the chest below the breastbone
• passing gas
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• runny nose
• sensation of spinning
• sneezing
• stuffy nose
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Rare

• Bone pain
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• dry eyes
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• hearing loss
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• pain of penis on erection
• severe sunburn

Incidence not known:

• Change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• fear or nervousness
• hives or welts

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to metoprolol: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

General

The most common adverse reactions were tiredness, dizziness, depression, shortness of breath, bradycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, pruritus, and rash.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Heart failure (up to 27.5%), hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg) (up to 27.4%), bradycardia (heart rate less than 40 beats per minute) (up to 15.9%),
Common (1% to 10%): Cold extremities, arterial insufficiency, palpitation, first degree heart block (P-R interval 0.26 seconds or greater), second or third degree heart block, postural disorders
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiogenic shock in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Disturbances of cardiac conduction, cardiac arrhythmia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Intermittent claudication increased
Frequency not reported: Claudication^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, gastric pain, constipation, flatulence, heartburn, abdominal pain, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Retroperitoneal fibrosis^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Tiredness, peripheral edema, accident and/or injury, death, fatigue
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema, precordial pain
Frequency not reported: Lactic dehydrogenase elevated
Postmarketing reports: Chest pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, vertigo, stroke, headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia, somnolence, impaired concentration
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alertness decreased
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Amnesia/memory impairment, tinnitus, taste disturbance
Frequency not reported: Short-term memory loss
Postmarketing reports: Syncope^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rhinitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sweating increased
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Loss of hair
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis aggravated, gangrene in patients with preexisting severe peripheral circulatory disorders, hyperhidrosis, alopecia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Depression
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia, nightmare
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nervousness, anxiety
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Confusion, hallucination, personality disorder, disturbances of libido
Frequency not reported: Sleep disturbance^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle cramps
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arthralgia, arthritis
Frequency not reported: Musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight gain
Frequency not reported: Unstable diabetes
Postmarketing reports: Blood triglycerides increased, high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased^[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual disturbance, dry and/or irritated eyes, conjunctivitis
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision^[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Liver function test abnormalities
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis
Frequency not reported: Transaminase elevated, alkaline phosphatase elevated
Postmarketing reports: Jaundice, non-specific hepatic dysfunction^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence/sexual dysfunction
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Peyronie's disease^[Ref]

Immunologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Positive antinuclear antibodies^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thrombocytopenia
Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis^[Ref]

References

1. "Product Information. Lopressor (metoprolol)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

Not all side effects for metoprolol may be reported. You should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice. Side effects can be reported to the FDA here.

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More about metoprolol

• Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Dosage Information
• Drug Images
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• En Español
• 291 Reviews – Add your own review/rating
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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of materials provided. 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 substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.