Generic Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic tetracycline antibiotic that kills certain bacteria that cause infection or stops their growth. Doxycycline is used to treat many kinds of infections of the skin, bone, stomach, respiratory tract, sinuses, ear and urinary tract. It also treats Lyme disease, all forms of Anthrax and certain sexually transmitted diseases. For those who travel to certain parts of the world where malaria is prevalent, doxycyline can be given to suppress the disease. It is the preferred medication for elderly patients exposed to all forms of Anthrax.


 

FAQ

Is Doxycycline approved to treat Anthrax?
Yes, it is approved by the US government to treat all forms of Anthrax [inhalation (lung), skin, and intestinal]. The FDA recently recommended Doxycycline in lieu of Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) as an alternative treatment against Anthrax in order to preserve the effectiveness of Cipro against Anthrax and other infections.

Doxycycline dosing
The absorption of the drug is not markedly affected by food, and therefore, it can be taken with meals. For most infections, Doxycycline is taken once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days. Sometimes, the first dose is given as a "double dose," that is, twice as large as the remainder of the doses.
Adults: The usual dose of oral treatment is 200 mg on the first day (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day. The maintenance dose may be administered as a single dose or as 50 mg every 12 hours.
The recommended adult dose for exposure to all forms of Anthrax is 100 milligrams given orally every 12 hours.
Children: The recommended pediatric dose of Doxycycline (children 8 years of age and older) and less than 100 pounds is 1 mg per pound given orally every 12 hours.

Doxycycline and pregnancy
Tetracycline antibiotics can have toxic effects on development of bone in the fetus. Therefore, tetracyclines are not recommended during pregnancy unless there is no other appropriate antibiotic. Doxycicline is secreted into breast milk. Since tetracyclines can cause decreased bone, the use of tetracyclines in nursing mothers is of concern. The physician must decide whether to recommend that a nursing mother discontinue nursing during treatment with Doxycycline or to choose a different antibiotic.

Doxycycline side effects
Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Tetracyclines may cause tooth discoloration if used in persons below 8 years of age. Exaggerated sunburn can occur with tetracyclines; therefore, sunlight should be minimized during treatment.

Drug interactions
It is recommended that Doxycycline not be taken at the same time as aluminum-, magnesium-, or calcium- based antacids, such as Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, or Rolaids because, like food, these medications bind Doxycycline in the intestine. Similarly, the drug should not be taken with minerals (such as calcium or iron), with bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).