When you or your baby has a fever or cough, sometimes you go to the doctor and they prescribe an antibiotic, right? Especially when a bacterial infection is suspected, this type of medicine can be given. So, a very common and important antibiotic that is given is doxycycline ( Doxycycline ) . Today, we will talk very simply about this medicine and the things to be careful about when using it.
What is Doxycycline ?
Simply put, doxycycline is an antibiotic used to kill bacteria . It belongs to the group of drugs called tetracycline. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria that enter our bodies and cause disease, and by destroying them.
But here is something very important that we all need to remember. This medicine only works for bacterial infections. It does not cure diseases caused by viruses like the common cold, flu, and cough. It is like trying to open a door with the wrong key. Therefore, this medicine should only be used if prescribed by a doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he or she needs to have a complete picture of your health . Only then can he or she determine whether this medicine is right for you. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health condition or habit | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Kidney or liver disease | Since these organs are involved in the process of removing drugs from the body, if their function is impaired, the dosage of the drug may need to be changed. |
| Being in the sun for a long time (e.g. working outdoors) | This medication can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which we will discuss in more detail later. |
| If you have recently had stomach surgery | The doctor should be aware of this as it can affect the body's absorption of the medication. |
| Intestinal diseases such as colitis | This is important to be aware of because some antibiotics can increase inflammatory bowel conditions. |
| Vision problems | It is important to be aware of any potential problems, as this medication can very rarely increase pressure around the brain and affect vision. |
| Yeast/Fungal Infection in the Mouth or Vagina | Since antibiotics also kill good bacteria in the body, there is a chance of fungal infections increasing. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy as it may affect the unborn baby. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | Since the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk, you should talk to your doctor about this. |
| Allergy to other medicines, foods or substances | It can be very dangerous if you are allergic to doxycycline or any other tetracycline. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
For a medicine to work properly, it must be used correctly. Keep these points in mind.
- Shake well before use:Because this is a pendulum, particles of medicine can settle at the bottom of the bottle. Therefore, you need to shake the bottle well before each use. That way, each dose contains the same amount of medicine.
- Use the correct measure: Only use the measuring cup, oral syringe, or special spoon that your doctor gives you. Do not measure your medicine with household teaspoons or tablespoons. Their sizes may vary, so you may get more or less of the medicine you need.
- With or without food: It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. This is because it is absorbed better by the body. However, some people may experience stomach upset or nausea when taking it on an empty stomach. If this happens, eat some food before taking the medicine. There is no problem with that.
- Take the medicine for the full prescribed period: This is the biggest mistake that many people make. After taking the medicine for two or three days and feeling a little better, they stop taking it, thinking, "I'm feeling better now." Never do that. If the doctor tells you to take it for 7 days, you should take it for the full 7 days. Otherwise, some strong bacteria in your body will remain, get used to the medicine, and when you get sick again, the medicine will not work (antibiotic resistance).
- Do not take with calcium, iron, or zinc: This is also very important. If you are taking antacids, iron tablets, calcium tablets, or vitamins that contain zinc, do not take them at the same time as doxycycline. These things hold the medicine in place, preventing it from being absorbed. Therefore, you should take these things at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking doxycycline.
Important: Take the full dose of medicine prescribed by your doctor. There may be some medicine left in the bottle. Don't worry about it. You should have taken the full course of medicine prescribed for you.
What precautions should be taken when giving this medicine to children?
Doxycycline is rarely prescribed for children under 8 years of age. This is because continued use of the drug while the child's teeth are growing can cause permanent yellow or brown discoloration of the teeth. However, in cases of severe infection that cannot be treated with other medications, a doctor may prescribe this medication to a child after weighing the benefits against the risks.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suspect or believe you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking, as some medications can interact with doxycycline, reducing its effectiveness or increasing side effects.
| Substances that may interact with doxycycline | |
|---|---|
| Antacids, products containing iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium | Prevents doxycycline from being absorbed into the body. |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | May increase the risk of bleeding. |
| Antiepileptic drugs such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin | Doxycycline is quickly eliminated from the body, reducing its effectiveness. |
| Birth control pills (estrogen or progestin hormones) | May reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. |
| Acne medications such as oral retinoids (e.g. acitretin, isotretinoin) | Increases the risk of increased pressure around the brain. |
Special points to be considered while taking the medicine
- Be careful of the sun:While taking this medicine, your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity). This means that even after a short period of exposure to the sun, your skin may quickly become red, burn, or blister. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible while taking this medicine. If you do go outside, wear a good sunscreen, a hat, and long-sleeved clothing.
- Do not take the medicine right before going to bed: This is a very important tip. Do not lie down or lie down immediately after taking the medicine. If you do, the medicine may not go straight to the stomach and may stay in the esophagus. If it stays like that, it can damage the lining of the throat, causing pain and heartburn. Therefore, sit or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. Also, drink a glass of water while taking the medicine.
- Diarrhea: It is normal to experience some mild diarrhea while taking antibiotics. However, if you have severe, watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days and is accompanied by a fever, see a doctor immediately. Do not take antidiarrheal medications on your own.
- Birth control: If you are using birth control pills, the effectiveness of birth control pills may be reduced while taking doxycycline and for 7 days after stopping it. Therefore, it is safer to use an additional form of birth control, such as a condom, during that time.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, doxycycline can cause side effects in some people. While most of these are minor, we should be aware of some serious conditions.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Increased pressure around the brain | Severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness, blistering, peeling skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe diarrhea | Watery diarrhea, fever, stomach ache. |
| Difficulty or pain in swallowing | Difficulty swallowing with pain in the throat or chest. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Nausea | This can often be avoided by taking the medicine with food. |
| Headache | A slight headache may occur. |
| Chest inflammation | This can be reduced by standing up after taking the medicine and drinking more water. |
| Tooth discoloration | This mostly affects children under the age of 8. |
Take-Home Message
- Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is only given for bacterial infections. It does not work for viral diseases.
- Take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if your symptoms improve.
- Do not take this medicine at the same time as milk, yogurt, iron tablets, calcium tablets, and antacids (gastritis syrup). Leave a gap of several hours.
- Take precautions to protect your skin from the sun while taking this medication, as your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight.
- Drink the medicine with plenty of water and do not lie down immediately after taking it, and stay upright for about 30 minutes.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as a severe allergic reaction, severe headache, vision changes, or severe diarrhea.
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