Overview Of Doxycycline

Potential Side Effects

Doxycycline also comes with several potential side effects. Some of the most frequently reported are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, and stomach aches. Other common side effects include headaches, dry mouth, toothaches, and upper abdominal pain. Patients may also develop flu-like symptoms. Gum pain, gastritis, flushing, and candida infections are a few of the less common side effects. Rarely, patients taking doxycycline have experienced bloody diarrhea, constipation, or colitis. While tooth discoloration is much more common in pediatric patients who use doxycycline, it has been observed in adult users too.

This medication may also cause esophageal ulceration. Patients with this side effect tend to have swallowing difficulties and retrosternal pain. After the drug is discontinued, esophageal ulceration tends to resolve within one week. Patients should let their doctor know immediately if they experience flushing, muscle or joint pain, dizziness, fainting, or chest pain while taking this drug. They should also notify their doctor right away if they have jaundice, severe back or stomach pain, dark urine, or light-colored stool. These could indicate liver or pancreas problems. This medication may also result in an allergic reaction. Signs of this include breathing difficulties, hives, facial swelling, and swelling of the tongue or lips. Patients should seek emergency medical care for these symptoms.

Uncover some precautions to remember with this medication next.

Precautions To Remember

Doxycycline is not safe for patients who are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotics, including minocycline and tigecycline. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should not take it either. It may not be appropriate for individuals with liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, or allergies to sulfites. Doctors may need to choose a different antibiotic for patients with a history of increased pressure inside the skull. Patients should consume their medication with a full glass of water. If this antibiotic causes stomach upset, the patient should check with their doctor if they can take it with food or milk. Some brands need to be taken on an empty stomach. Individuals who use these brands can take their dose one hour before a meal. They may also opt to take it two hours after a meal.

Delayed-release tablets and capsules must be swallowed whole, and they cannot be crushed or chewed. However, it is safe to open regular capsules. Individuals can mix the contents with one spoonful of applesauce. This may help individuals with swallowing difficulties. Patients should throw away any doxycycline that has expired. Consuming this medication after its expiration date could cause kidney damage. This antibiotic may increase sun sensitivity. Thus, patients should wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of thirty or higher on all exposed skin.

Discover potential medication interactions next.