What you need to know about doxycycline for rosacea

Does your face always turn red, have small pimple-like bumps, and sometimes feel very uncomfortable? This could be a symptom of a skin condition called rosacea that many people have. As a treatment for this , a doctor may have prescribed you a medication called doxycycline . So today, let's talk about what this medication is, how exactly it is used, and what you should be especially careful about when taking this medication.

Simply put, what is doxycycline ?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that belongs to the tetracycline group. However, it is not given to you for a bacterial infection. This medicine is prescribed to you in a low dose to reduce the inflammation or swelling of the skin in the case of rosacea . Therefore, it is very important to use it exactly as your doctor tells you.

Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication

Before you start using doxycycline , it is important that your doctor knows your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.

• Kidney or liver disease: If you have any kidney or liver disease, it may affect how this medicine is removed from your body.
• Frequent exposure to sunlight: If you have to be in the sun all day long due to your job or other reasons, tell them about it. This is because the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity) while taking this medicine.
• Recent abdominal surgery or intestinal diseases: If you have intestinal diseases such as colitis or have recently had surgery, it is important to inform your doctor.
• Vision problems: Sometimes these medications can increase pressure around the brain, affecting vision. So, if you already have vision problems, talk about them.
• Yeast/Fungal Infections in the Mouth or Vagina: These antibiotics can kill the good bacteria in your body, leading to an increase in yeast infections. If you get these infections frequently, tell your doctor.
• If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant: It is imperative to tell your doctor about this during pregnancy, as this medicine may affect the baby.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: Be aware of this as the ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk.
• Other Allergies: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to doxycycline , other tetracyclines, or any other medications, foods, or dyes.

How to use the medicine correctly?

To get the most out of this medication and minimize side effects, it is very important to use it correctly .

1. Drink with a glass of water: Always drink a full glass of water when taking doxycycline . This helps to make the medicine easier to swallow and reduces any irritation that may occur in the throat and stomach.

2. Take on an empty stomach: This medicine is best absorbed by the body when taken on an empty stomach. That means, take the medicine either one hour before or two hours after a meal .

3. Take it at the same time every day: Try to take your medication at the same time each day as much as possible. This will help keep the levels of the medication in your body consistent.

4. Swallow the capsule whole: Do not break, crush, or chew the medicine capsule. Swallow it whole.

5. Don't drink before going to bed: This is very important. If you take the medicine before going to bed and lie down, the medicine may not dissolve properly and may cause pain and burning in the throat. Therefore, take the medicine at least an hour before going to bed and sit or stand for a while.

What do you do if you forget to take your 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, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)

Doxycycline ( Doxycycline ) is a drug that can interact with other medications and foods. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements).

Let's explain this further with the table below.

Things to be especially careful about when taking Doxycycline

Be careful of the sun!

This is something that many people forget, but it is very important. When you take doxycycline , your skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive). This means that even if you are normally fine in the sun, your skin may quickly turn red, burn, or blister even after a short period of exposure to the sun while taking this medication.

• Avoid going out in the sun between 10am and 4pm as much as possible.
• If you go outside, wear long-sleeved clothes and a hat.
• Be sure to use a good sunscreen .
• Never use sun lamps or tanning booths.

Stomach upset and diarrhea

Some people may experience diarrhea while taking this medicine. However, if you have severe diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, is watery, and is accompanied by a fever, call your doctor immediately. Do not take over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea without first consulting your doctor.

Don't stop taking your medication.

Do not stop taking the medication before your doctor tells you that your symptoms have subsided. It is important to take the medication for the full prescribed period.

Let's also know about the side effects.

Like any medicine , doxycycline can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some of them are normal and go away in a few days. But we need to be aware of some serious side effects.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you suspect that you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .

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