Doxycycline hydrochloride 50 mg & 100 mg tablets
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Doxycycline AN.
It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Doxycycline AN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Doxycycline AN is used for
Doxycycline AN is an antibiotic used to
- Treat certain infections
- Control acne
- Prevent malaria
Doxycyline AN tablets belong to a class of medicines called tetracyclines.
These medicines work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria which cause infections or make acne worse. They also work against parasites which cause malaria.
Tetracyclines will not work against viral infections such as colds or the ‘flu’.
Your doctor, however, may prescribe Doxycycline AN for another purpose. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Doxycycline AN has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that Doxycycline AN is addictive.
Before You Take Doxycycline AN
When you must not take Doxycycline AN
Do not take Doxycycline AN if:
- You have ever had an allergic reaction to
- Medicines containing doxycycline, or doxycycline hydrochloride
- Medicines containing other tetracyclines
- Any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to tetracyclines may include: rash, itching or hives of the skin, swelling of the face, lops and tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing
- You are taking preparations containing Vitamin A, isotretinoin or etretinate
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines
- You are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy or breastfeeding
As with many medicines, tetracyclines can harm the developing or breastfeeding baby. This may include enamel loss and staining of the child’s teeth and increase the pressure on your child’s brain.
High doses of tetracyclines may also cause liver problems in pregnant women.
If you are not sure whether you should be taking Doxycycline AN, talk to your doctor.
Do not take Doxycycline AN if:
- The expiry date on the pack has passed
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed it may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect. - The packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not give Doxycycline AN to children of eight years and under unless directed by the child’s doctor. Doxycycline AN like all other tetracyclines may cause enamel loss and staining in developing teeth.
Before you start to take Doxycycline AN
You must tell your doctor if:
- You are allergic to any other medicines or substances such as foods, dyes or preservatives
- You have or have ever had any other health problems
- You plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
- You are scheduled to have surgery under general anaesthetic
- You are exposed to direct sunlight or ultra violet light
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Doxycycline AN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Doxycycline AN may interfere with each other, including:
- preparations containing Vitamin A
- some medicines used for skin problems such as isotretinoin or etretinate
- warfarin, a medicine used to stop blood clotting
- another group of antibiotics called penicillins
- Methoxyflurane, an inhaled anaesthetic
- Barbiturates such as phenobarbitone
- Medicines containing sodium bicarbonate
- Acetazolamide and ethoxzolamide, a medicine used to treat glaucoma
- The contraceptive pill (birth control pill). Doxycycline AN may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Your doctor may advise you to use an alternative method of contraception while taking Doxycycline AN
- some medicines for epilepsy such as phenytoin, carbemazepine or phenobarbitone
These medicines may be affected by Doxycycline AN or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine.
Some medicines may interfere with the absorption of Doxycycline AN tablets. These include:
- iron preparations, including vitamin preparations which contain iron
- antacids used for indigestion containing aluminium, calcium or magnesium
- do not drink alcohol or take any of these medicines if you are taking Doxycycline AN tablets.
You can still take these medicines while you are taking Doxycycline AN. However, you must take your Doxycycline AN Tablets at least two hours before or two hours after taking any of these medicines to make sure that there is no problem with absorption.
How to take Doxycycline AN
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 pharmacist for help
How much to take
Depending on your condition, your doctor will tell you how much Doxycycline AN to take. Follow all instructions carefully.
How to take it
Swallow the prescribed dose of Doxycycline AN whole with a full glass of water or milk while standing upright. Do not lie down immediately after swallowing Doxycycline AN. It is important to drink adequate amounts of fluid and to stay upright, for example sitting, standing or walking for at least half an hour after swallowing your tablet. This is to help avoid irritation and ulceration oesophagus (foodpipe).
When to take it
Take Doxycycline AN tablets during or immediately after a meal, at about the same time each day (usually in the morning). If taken on an empty stomach, Doxycycline AN may cause a stomach upset.
Late evening ingestion of the tablet should be avoided.
How long to take it
For controlling acne,
Doxycycline AN tablets should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. For severe acne the tablets may be taken up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
For treating infections
Doxycycline AN tablets are usually taken for one to two weeks. Do not stop taking Doxycycline AN because you are feeling better. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
For preventing malaria,
Doxycycline AN tablets are normally recommended to be taken for up to a maximum of eight weeks.
However, your doctor may prescribe Doxycycline AN tablets for longer periods. Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it.
Continue taking Doxycycline AN tablets until you finish the pack or until your doctor recommends.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
If you forget to take Doxycycline AN
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 the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Doxycycline AN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
While you are taking Doxycycline AN
Things you must do
If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.
If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if this occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking Doxycycline AN. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you get a sore white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after stopping Doxycycline AN tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge. This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush.
Sometimes the use of Doxycycline AN allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Doxycycline AN do not work against fungi.
If you become pregnant while you are taking Doxycycline AN, tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking a new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Doxycycline AN.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised to do so by your doctor. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.
Do not give Doxycycline AN to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use Doxycycline AN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Protect your skin when you are in the sun, especially between 10am and 3pm. Doxycycline may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally.
Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness, or a severe sunburn. If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a 30+ sunscreen. If your skin does appear to be burning, stop taking doxycycline and tell your doctor.
Be careful of driving or operating machinery until you know how Doxycycline AN affects you. Doxycycline AN does not normally cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines Doxycycline tablets may cause tiredness in some people.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any problems while you are taking Doxycycline AN, even if you do not think that the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Like all medicines, Doxycycline AN can cause side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
While taking Doxycycline AN
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- oral thrush – white, furry, sore tongue and mouth
- vaginal thrush – sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- stomach pain
- darkened tongue
- taste loss
- tooth discolouration
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to the nearest casualty at your local hospital if you notice any of the following:
- skin rash/hives/itchy skin
- joint pain
- difficulty breathing
- fever
- sore throat
- more frequent bruising than normal
- severe sunburn
- yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).
After finishing Doxycycline AN
Tell you doctor immediately if you notice any of the following side effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Doxycycline AN
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever in combination with one or both of the above
These are rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel. Therefore you may need urgent medical attention. However, this side effect is very rare.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without checking with your doctor first.
Some people may experience other side effects while taking Doxycycline AN.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects you may not experience any of them.
After taking Doxycycline AN
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store Doxycycline AN or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave Doxycycline AN in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep Doxycycline AN where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Doxycycline AN, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Doxycycline AN 50 mg and 100 mg tablets contain 50 or 100 mg of doxycycline respectively as doxycycline hyclate (hydrochloride).
Doxycycline AN 50 mg tablets White film-coated, circular, biconvex tablet having a diameter of approximately 6.3mm.
Presented in PVC/PVDC/Al blister packs of 25 tablets (AUST R 148807)
Doxycycline AN 100 mg tablets White, film-coated, biconvex tablets with a breakline on one face, for oral use, diameter 9.1mm. Presented in PVC/PVDC/Al blister packs of 7 or 21 tablets (AUST R 148808),or HDPE bottles of 7 tablets (AUST R 148813).
Ingredients
Active Ingredient:
Doxycycline (as hyclate) (hydrochloride)
Other Ingredients:
- microcrystalline cellulose
- magnesium stearate
- colloidal anhydrous silica
- maize starch
- Opadry White Y-7000B
Doxycycline AN tablets do not contain any gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo food dyes.
Name and Address of the Sponsor
Amneal Pharma Australia Pty Ltd
12 River Street
South Yarra 3141
Australia
Date of Preparation
November 2017
Published by MIMS January 2018