Doxycycline

Doxycycline

Review patients who have received a course of antibiotic treatment.

If an antibiotic is required, an appropriate 5-day regimen is:

Doxycycline Capsules§, 100 mg

Send: 6 capsules

Label: 2 capsules on the first day, followed by 1 capsule daily

Doxycyline‡ Capsules§, 100 mg

<12 years

Not recommended for use because it causes intrinsic staining of developing teeth

≥12 years

As for adults

For adults:

Doxycycline Capsules§, 100 mg

Send: 6 capsules

Label: 2 capsules on the first day, followed by 1 capsule daily

For children:

Doxycyline‡ Capsules§, 100 mg

<12 years

Not recommended for use because it causes intrinsic staining of developing teeth

≥12 years

As for adults

NB:   Advise patient to swallow capsules whole with plenty of fluid during meals, while sitting or standing.

For severe infection in adults and children aged 12 years and over, 2 capsules daily can be given.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or those receiving potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Do not prescribe for pregnant women, nursing mothers or children under 12 years, as it can deposit on growing bone and teeth (by binding to calcium) and cause staining and, occasionally, dental hypoplasia.

Doxycycline can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysphagia, oesophageal irritation and photosensitivity.

Do not prescribe doxycycline for patients taking warfarin. 

§Doxycycline is also available as doxycyline dispersible tablets.

‡Doxycycline is not licensed for use in children under 12 years.

Drug interactions