Oracea

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: retinoid medications taken by mouth (such as acitretin, isotretinoin), strontium, anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin), digoxin, warfarin.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Taking outdated tetracycline-related drugs can result in serious illness. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is best taken by mouth on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless directed otherwise. If stomach upset occurs, taking it with food or milk may help. However, doxycycline may not work as well if you take it with food or milk (or anything high in calcium - more details below), so ask your doctor or pharmacist if you may take it that way. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication.

Take this medication 2 to 3 hours before or after taking any products containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, or bismuth subsalicylate. Some examples include antacids, quinapril, sucralfate, vitamins/minerals, dairy products (such as milk, yogurt), and calcium-enriched juice. These products bind with doxycycline, preventing your body from fully absorbing the drug.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or take more of this medication than prescribed.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

See also Side Effects section.

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to tetracycline or related drugs (such as minocycline); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, problems swallowing, esophagus problems (such as hiatal hernia, reflux disease-GERD), stomach surgery (such as gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery), lupus.

Doxycycline may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using doxycycline before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children younger than 8 years may be more sensitive to the side effects of doxycycline, especially tooth discoloration. Tooth discoloration has also occurred in older children and young adults. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with the doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using doxycycline. Doxycycline may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.