Doxycycline Uses Dosage Side Effects Warnings

Doxycycline belongs to the tetracycline series of antibiotics that are used to treat multiple infections all over the body. As for the fact to what this particular drug turns out to be, that is an antibiotic capable of disposing of the pathogens in the body of a human being it would be possible to cure nearly all kinds of an infection that may take place due to presence of bacteria.

 

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is an era tablet of the tetracycline category, which targets the bacteria, which cause the infection and the insertion of the bacteria for formation of proteins. After that it becomes the duty of the body’s immune system to clear the infection. Doxycycline is marketed as ordinary round tablets and capsule, and also as injectable solution preparation.

Some of the popular brands of doxycycline are

• Vibramycin
• Doryx
• Adoxa

Uses of Doxycycline

Some of the diseases that doxycycline is prescribed for, are;

 

1. Bacterial Infections

Some of the bacterial infections to be prescribed treatment using doxycycline, and among which is listed the following.

• Pneumonia and bronchitis and their classification as respiratory tract infections
• Urinary Tract Infections: this is the cases involving UTIs from prone bacteria.
• Skin Infections: for example, there is acne and cellulite among others.

2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases with their most common prescription using Doxycycline, among others;

• Chlamydia. These are infections caused by one bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis
• Gonorrhea: As secondary medication in case other drugs to administer are not available.

3. Lyme Disease

Doxycycline is used when Na doxycycline is prescribed as the first choice treatment for Lyme disease. Lyme diseases are diseases produced by a bacterium transmitted through ticks- Borrelia burgdorferi. During the first days of treatment by doxycycline, further deterioration of the disease is prevented

 

4. Malaria Prophylaxis

A prophylactic dose of doxycycline is administered to the traveler before travel to endemic malarial regions. It may be given on demand to be taken on journey and upon return from such locations.

 

5. Acne

Doxycycline is employed in acute acne of at least moderate severity because it reduces the severity and number of an attack of acne through its anti-inflammatory action.

 

6. Periodontal Disease

It is an inflammatory disease that brings the destruction of tissues at the area of the teeth and, at the same time, causes harm. It is an antibiotic that reduces the inflammation as well as load of the bacteria in the gums.

Dosage of Doxycycline

The Doxycycline dosage will be determined based on diagnosis, patient's age, and weight of the patient. The prescribing should be done by a healthcare professional.

 

General Adult Dosage

• Majority of the infections are treated with an oral dose of 100 mg twice a day, during the first day followed by 100 mg orally daily thereafter.
• The treatment of Acne is started with an oral dose of 100 mg/day and then it has to be 50 mg orally daily.

Children

Doxycycline is not prescribed for the children less than 8 years because of staining of the teeth. However, it is prescribed for children greater than 45 kg, and the aim is eradiation of particular infections.

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Preparation and Administration

• Route: Doxycycline is administered through an oral route. The drugs come as a tablet or a capsule.
• It is safe to take this drug, so long as it is taken orally, with or without food and therefore reducing instances of stomach upset. If it has to be administered with Doxycycline it is a drug that has to be taken down with a glassful of water and which cannot in any way irritate the esophagus.
• Treatment Duration: This varies with the causative agent of the disease. However, infection always deserves to be treated for its full cycle of antibiotics regardless of how the patient has improved as the return of resistance should not be expected of the resistant bacteria.

Side Effects of Doxycycline

Although non-toxic generally, some of the patients will experience the effects which are outlined below

 

1. Gastrointestinal Diseases

• Nausea and Vomiting: There could be an intestinal infection with nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea: This antibiotic changes the gut flora hence leads to diarrhea

2. Dermatological Manifestations

• Photosensitivity: This antibiotic also causes photosensitivity that in some cases leads to sunburn or rashes. The patient should use sunscreen and also wear protective clothes.
• Allergic reactions: In some allergic responses have been reported. These include features such as rash, and urticaria, pruritus, swelling

3. Central Nervous System Effects

• Dizziness or Light-Headedness: The patients mostly complain of dizziness. This is because when the patient gets up rapidly from lying down, then this phenomenon occurs
• Headache: Some patients complain of minor headaches

4. Tooth Discoloration

Doxycycline results in permanent staining of the deciduous teeth of the patients who are below the age of eight years, and therefore doxycycline stains the teeth. This is the reason why doxycycline has been restricted to the use for pediatric patients and in very rare cases.

 

5. Interactions

Oesophageal Inflammation: If small volume of fluid is consumed with the doxycycline it may irritate the oesophagus and thus leads to some kind of swelling in orifices while swallowing.

This is precaution and alert while using the drug doxycycline.

 

Caution and Warnings:

 

1. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Doxycycline is a drug placed in Category D where there is evidence of fetal risk. It should thus be avoided unless absolutely necessary to use on pregnant patients, and it also gets absorbed into breast milk. The use of this drug will thus require a doctor's advice if its use is necessary on a nursing mother.

 

2. Allergies

The allergic patients should be kept off from being given tetracycline antibiotics with doxycycline. It is always a plus if one provides an allergy history to their prescriber before starting on your medication.

 

3. Hepatic and Renal Impairment

Do not use a patient who has renal or hepatic impairment while on the doxycycline since he may have to alter the dose. Doctors normally do this while on treatment using doxycycline.

 

4. Super infection

The above antibiotics cause long-term effects because of super infections by the resistant organisms. When the symptoms appear during the time of treatment, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

 

Conclusion

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is widely and commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of respiratory and skin type infections other than those related to sexually transmitted and malaria. It has very recently been used in the treatment of acne and periodontal diseases due to the presence of an anti-inflammatory effect. All such drugs are generally safe unless otherwise advised by the treating physician. Dosage schedules with the frequency of administration and route for giving must always be strict as advised by the physician.

 

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