What Doryx is used for
Doryx is an antibiotic used to:
• treat certain types of infections
• control acne
• prevent some forms of malaria, sometimes in combination with another antimalarial medicine.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called tetracyclines.
It works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria which cause infections or make acne worse. It also works against parasites that cause malaria.
Tetracyclines will not work against viral infections such as colds or flu.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
It is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take Doryx
When you must not take it
Do not take Doryx if you have an allergy to:
• any medicine containing doxycycline
• other tetracyclines
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take this medicine if you are taking preparations containing vitamin A, isotretinoin or etretinate. Ask you doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines.
Do not take this medicine if you are more than 18 weeks pregnant or are breast-feeding.
As with many medicines, tetracyclines may harm your developing or breast-feeding baby. Tetracyclines may cause enamel loss and staining of your child's teeth or increase the pressure on your child's brain.
High doses of tetracyclines may also cause liver problems in pregnant women.
Do not give this medicine to children aged eight years or under unless directed by the child's doctor.
Doryx like other tetracyclines, may cause enamel loss and staining in developing teeth. It may also cause increased pressure on the brain if used in infants.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should be taking Doryx, talk to your doctor
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Doryx may interfere with each other. These include:
• preparations containing Vitamin A
• some medicines used for skin problems, such as isotretinoin or etretinate
• warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clotting
• another group of antibiotics called penicillins
• some medicines used in the treatment of epilepsy such as phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbitone
• methoxyflurane, an anaesthetic
• acetazolamide, a medicine used to help the body get rid of salt and water
• the contraceptive pill (birth control pill). Doryx may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills.
Your doctor may advise you to use an additional method of contraception while taking Doryx and for 7 days after taking Doryx. Refer to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
These medicines may be affected by Doryx or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines.
If you are taking the following medicines, take them at least two hours before or two hours after taking Doryx:
• antacids (containing aluminium, calcium or magnesium) used for indigestion
• bismuth salts, found in some medicines used to treat stomach ulcers
• preparations that contain iron including vitamin preparations.
These medicines may interfere with the absorption of Doryx.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take Doryx
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacists for help.
How much to take
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many capsules you will need to take each day.
For treating infections, the usual dose of doxycycline is two 100 mg capsules on the first day, followed by one 100 mg capsule each day from then on.
For controlling acne, the usual dose is one 50 mg capsule each day.
For the prevention of malaria, the usual dose is one 100 mg capsule each day, commencing two days before entering the malarious area, during the visit, and for two weeks after leaving the area.
Your doctor may ask you to take a different dose, depending on your condition and how you react to the medicine.
How to take it
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water or milk while sitting or standing upright.
Do not lie down immediately after swallowing Doryx.
It is important to stay upright, for example sitting, standing or walking around for at least half an hour after swallowing your capsule. This is to help avoid irritation to your food pipe, also called the oesophagus.
Do not chew the capsules.
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day (usually in the morning).
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it.
Take your medicine during or immediately after a meal.
If taken on an empty stomach, it may cause stomach upset.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine until you finish the pack or for as long as your doctor recommends.
Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
For treating infections, Doryx is usually taken for one to two weeks.
For controlling acne, Doryx is normally taken over a period of 12 weeks.
For preventing malaria, Doryx is recommended to be taken for up to a maximum of 8 weeks. However, your doctor may prescribe Doryx for longer periods.
If you are not sure how long you should be taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not double a dose to make up for the dose you have missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Reference: Appco.com.au
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