VIBRAMYCIN - Doxycycline Hyclate

Vibramycin Used For

Vibramycin (Doxycycline) is a tetracycline antibiotic that is prescribed for treatment of many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia, periodontitis (gum disease), and others.

Directions for Vibramycin

Following is the recommened dose of Vibramycin for treating various infections: For bacterial or protozoal infections in adults and children older than 8 years of age who weigh more than 45 kg/99 pounds, 100 mg every 12 hours the first day, then 100 mg once a day or 50 to 100 mg every 12 hours. For children older than 8 years of age but who weight less than 45 kgs, the dose must be based on body weight and is usually 1.1 or 2.2 mg per kg twice a day on the first day and then 2.2 to 4.4 mg per kg of body weight once a day or 1.1 to 2.2 mg per kg of body weight twice a day. For preventing malaria adults and teenagers can be administered 100 mg once a day. The first dose must be taken one or two days before the day of travel to an area where malaria may occur and then continued every day through out the travel period and up to four weeks after leaving the area. For children older than 8 years of age, the dose is based on body weight and is usually 2 mg per kg of body weight and should follow the same regimen as that for adults. Infants and children 8 years of age and younger should not be administered tetracyclins as it can permanently stain teeth.

How Vibramycin works

Children younger than 8 years of age should not take Vibramycin as it may cause permanent tooth discoloration and adversely affect growth. Iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives should not be taken within 2 hours of taking this medication as these may reduce the effectiveness of Vibramycin. This medication may also decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. It is advisable to use an alternate method of birth control while under treatment with Vibramycin to avoid unintended pregnancy. Vibramycin is known to increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause severe burning if there is prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial UV light (e.g., tanning beds). Patients are advised to wear protective clothing and use sunscreen if exposure to sunlight is unavoidable. Vibramycin belongs to FDA pregnancy category D and is known to be harmful to an unborn baby in that it may affect bone and tooth development in the developing baby. This medication should not be taken by pregnant women or those who are likely to become pregnant during treatment without proper medical advice. Vibramycin also passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant and so should be avoided by lactating mothers. Expired Vibramycin tablets, if taken, can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.

Vibramycin side effects

As with all other medications, Vibramycin also has its side effects which may or may not include any or all of the following: severe headache, vision changes, confusion, liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue), blood problems, fever, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, swollen tongue, and/or vaginal yeast infection. It is advisable to seek immediate medical attention if any of the above side effects become aggravated or cause undue discomfort.

Other Vibramycin Information

Take Vibramycin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Adequate water should be taken with each dose to prevent irritation of the esophagus. The medication can be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Milk and other dairy products should be avoided, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, as they may decrease the absorption of the medication.