Doxycycline - What is doxycycline?

What is Doxycycline? Is it the brand-name of a medicament or just the name of the active ingredient? What are its recommended dosages? Such questions trouble us every now and then; therefore, in case you are short of time to visit the doctor or have an emergency, the following info can help.

Doxycycline antibiotic is the drug’s generic name while Vibramycin (including other Vibra-tabs) is the name under which it gets sold. Available in single doses of 100 mg, 40 mg, 50mg and 75 mg, doxycycline is also available as a suspension (serving 25 mg/teaspoon); as syrup (50 mg/teaspoon) and also as a powder that can be injected. The powder comes in strength of 42.5 mg, 100mg and 200 mg and all the forms need a temperature between 15°C and 30°C (59°F -86°F) except for the powder ideally requiring a constant 25°C. Additionally, direct exposure to light is strongly opposed.

Doxycycline antibiotic is effective against a large multitude of infections (but only of the bacterial type) and includes the infections caused by Hemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis. It is effective in treating both in both humans and animals and therefore, often prescribed by veterinarians to treat tick fever and anthrax. However, treatment of acne and certain amoeba-induced infections respond best when doxycycline antibiotic is given in combinations. This is because, while doxycyclime puts a stop to the internal protein synthesis of the bacteria, the other medication heals the damages already caused by it. Other doxycycline uses include slowing the progression of an infection and completely preventing it before it gets any fatal.

Doxycycline antibiotic has no restriction regarding food and drinks (except for alcohol, though moderate consumption poses no problem if taken with prebiotics); however, with calcium, iron or magnesium based supplements or with other medicines like acitretin, penicillin or isotretinoin, it exhibits reduced efficacy. It is to be avoided completely by someone who has taken an oral, live typhoid vaccine; so must do pregnant ladies and nursing mothers. Doxycycline alters the genes that builds teeth and bones and uses breast milk as a vehicle to pass into an infant’s body. Thus, any child less than 8 years of age must not be prescribed doxycycline antibiotic unless there’s no way avoiding it. And people suffering from ulcerative skin diseases or those who have porphyria, the only advise to them during doxycycline antibiotic is – “Stay away from it!”