What is Doxycycline Hyclate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Doxycycline Hyclate

• Use only the brand and dosage format prescribed by the doctor. Other brands may not work the same way or may require a different dose.

• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up the infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

• Doxycycline hyclate tablets and capsules can be taken with or without food. However, to prevent stomach irritation, they should be taken with food.

• How to take doxycycline capsules: 

  • Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.

  • Store doxycycline hyclate capsules at room temperature, protected from light.

• How to take doxycycline tablets:

  • Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. 

  • Doxycycline tablets are scored so they can be broken into two or three separate doses. To break a tablet, hold the tablet between your thumb and index fingers close to the appropriate scored line. Then, apply enough pressure to snap the tablet segments apart. Do not use the tablet if it does not break on the scored lines.

  • If doxycycline hyclate tablets are being taken for periodontitis, they should be taken in the morning and evening. If the tablets are taken with food, they should be taken one hour before or two hours after eating.

  • Store doxycycline hyclate tablets at room temperature, protected from heat and moisture.

• How to take doxycycline delayed-release tablets:

  • Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. 

  • Doxycycline delayed-release tablets can be broken up, sprinkled over applesauce, and taken that way. Do not crush or break the pellets (the yellow specks in the tablet). Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing.

  • Store doxycycline hyclate tablets at room temperature, protected from heat and moisture.

What to do if you miss a dose of Doxycycline Hyclate

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

• Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Doxycycline Hyclate contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or another tetracycline antibiotic.

Doxycycline Hyclate warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your doctor may need to perform lab tests regularly to monitor the effects of this medicine, especially if treatment lasts a long time. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your doctor if you have:

  • Liver disease

  • A history of yeast infections

  • Hypersensitivity to sulfites 

• This medicine may cause the following problems:

  • An increase in pressure inside the head (intracranial hypertension)

  • Fungal infections, including vaginal yeast infections

  • Serious drug or skin reactions

• This medicine can cause C. difficile-associated diarrhea. This can happen up to two months after the last dose is taken. Call a doctor if you experience severe, watery, or persistent diarrhea. If you experience severe diarrhea, do not take antidiarrheal medicines until you’ve talked to a doctor. 

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing, and do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• Doxycycline can interfere with the growth and development of teeth in children younger than 8 years old. It’s only used for young children when the infection is serious, and there are no other equally good alternatives.

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day when taking doxycycline.

• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Doxycycline Hyclate interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before starting doxycycline hyclate, particularly:

  • Blood thinners

  • Penicillin drugs

  • Barbiturates

  • Hormonal contraceptives 

  • Retinoids such as the acne drug tretinoin or the psoriasis drug acitretin

  • Phenytoin, carbamazepine

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• Some medicines and dietary supplements interfere with the absorption of doxycycline, so the drug won’t work as well. Doxycycline doses may need to be taken several hours before or after you take one of these drugs or supplements. How long will depend on the drug or supplement. These include:

  • Antacids containing magnesium, calcium, or aluminum

  • Laxatives that contain magnesium

  • Any drugs, supplements, or electrolyte drinks containing iron, calcium, zinc, or magnesium

  • The stomach protectants sucralfate or bismuth subsalicylate

  • Any medicine that is labeled as “buffered”

  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs called bile acid sequestrants

  • A drug that treats high phosphorus called lanthanum carbonate

• Avoid drinking alcohol when taking doxycycline hyclate.

Find more detailed information about doxycycline hyclate interactions to avoid here.