Doxycycline has a prominent place among the rapidly excreted tetracyclines. This antibiotic is absorbed much better than the others and is excreted after a long half-life (16-20 hours). Doxycycline is available on the pharmaceutical market with a prescription in the form of ampoules, capsules and tablets for the preparation of an oral suspension. How does doxycycline work?

Doxycycline: what is it?

Doxycycline is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics.The first tetracyclines were isolated from actinomycetes ( Streptomycces ) at the turn of 1940s and 1950s. Doxycycline is classified as a semi-synthetic tetracycline. It hasantibacterial propertiesagainst gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Doxycycline occupies a prominent place among the rapidly excreted tetracyclines. This antibiotic is absorbed much better than the others and is excreted after a long half-life (16-20 hours). The drug is available on the pharmaceutical market upon presentation of a prescription in the form of ampoules, capsules and tablets for the preparation of an oral suspension.

Doxycycline and its composition

Doxycycline ampoule( Doxycyclinum TZF- solution) one vial contains active ingredient : 1 ml of solution contains 20 mg doxycycline hyclate.Auxiliary ingredients:

  • povidone K17,
  • ethanolamine,
  • magnesium chloride hexahydrate,
  • sodium metabisulfite,
  • water for injections.

Doxycycline capsule( Doxycyclinum Farma- Projekt) one capsule contains the active ingredient:104.1 mg of doxycycline monohydrate( Doxycyclini monohydrate)which corresponds to 100 mg of doxycycline. Auxiliary ingredients:

  • microcrystalline cellulose,
  • gelatin,
  • corn starch,
  • talk,
  • magnesium stearate,
  • dyes titanium dioxide (E 171), indigo carmine (E 132),
  • quinoline yellow (E 104).

Doxycycline tablet(Doxyratio M ) one tablet contains the active ingredient:104.1 mg of docycycline monohydrate ( Doxycyclini monohydrate ) which corresponds to 100 mg of doxycycline. Auxiliary ingredients:

  • microcrystalline cellulose,
  • sodium s altcarboxymethyl starch,
  • talk,
  • magnesium stearate,
  • colloidal silica,
  • purified water.

Doxycycline: action

Doxycycline hasbacteriostatic and bactericidal properties . The main mechanism of this group of antibiotics is to block protein synthesis inside and outside the microbial cell by weakening the attachment of the aminoacyl-tRNA molecule to the ribosomes. Consequently, it contributes to the inhibition of bacterial growth.

Due to the location where the drug molecule binds to the ribosome, two main sites are distinguished. The first is the site of high affinity, and the second is the site of low affinity for the structures in question. Doxycycline strongly bindsat the A acceptor site of the 30S ribosome subunit , where the drug binds to the S7 protein and the 16S rRNA molecule. On the other hand, the weak binding site is located in both the 30S and 50S subunits of the bacterial ribosome.

Read also: Antibiotics - types, action, safety rules

Doxycycline: use

Doxycycline has beenused in the treatment of many different bacterial infections , such as :

  • upper and lower respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia),
  • urinary tract infections (prostatitis, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydiosis),
  • intestinal infections,
  • eye infections (conjunctivitis),
  • periodontitis (gum disease),
  • soft tissue infections.

Doxycycline is alsoused to treat pimples, nodules, and other acne-like lesionscaused by rosacea. Some forms of doxycycline are used to prevent malaria, anthrax, or infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.

Doxycycline: indications

Doxycyclineis recommended for infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria , including anaerobic and spore-forming forms.gram-negative bacteriasensitive to doxycycline include:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae,
  • Haemophillus influenzae,
  • Brucella spp.,
  • Escherichia coli,
  • Enterobacter spp.,
  • Klebsiella spp.,
  • Salmonella spp.,
  • Shigella spp.,
  • Bacteroides spp.,
  • Pseudomonas spp.,
  • Proteus spp.,
  • Serratia spp.,
  • Providencia spp.

Thegram-positive bacteriah sensitive to the action of doxycycline include:

  • Streptococcus haemolyticus (α, β),
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae,
  • Staphylococcus aureus,
  • Bacillus anthracis,
  • Listeria monocytogenes,
  • Enterococcus spp,
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis,
  • Propionibacterium acnes,
  • Rickettsia spp.,
  • Chlamydia spp.,
  • Mycoplasma spp.,
  • Ureaplasma spp.

Doxycycline: contraindications

Do not use the drug if you are allergic to doxycycline and to any of the modules listed in the composition of the drug. It is not recommended to usein children under 12 years of age .

Doxycycline: dosage

The drug should be used as described in the patient information leaflet or according to specific guidelines and recommendations of a doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Read also: How to read medicine leaflets? [EXPLAIN]

Doxycycline: precautions

Avoid direct exposure to sunlight(sunbathing, solarium) while using doxycyclineas it is photosensitizing. Long-term use of doxycycline contributes to the uncontrolled development of other microorganisms, including fungal infections.

The drug should not be taken lying down and washed down with plenty of water, as it may irritate the esophagus or cause choking.The occurrence of diarrhea while taking the drug may be a symptom of pseudomembranous enteritis , therefore this condition should be consulted with your doctor.

The antibiotic can cause damage or discoloration of teeth, the appearance of porphyria (disorders of hemoglobin metabolism), aggravate the symptoms of myasthenia gravis (rapid fatigue and weakening of skeletal muscles) and lupus (autoimmune disease).

Doxycycline: side effects

Doxycycline may cause an allergic reaction. Thereported drug-induced complaintsinclude, first of all:

  • allergic skin reaction,
  • hives,
  • itching,
  • rash,
  • fever,
  • swelling of lips, tongue and face
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • indigestion,
  • stomach ache,
  • discolorationteeth,
  • photosensitivity,
  • joint pain,
  • mycosis,
  • glossitis,
  • staphylococcal enteritis,
  • pseudomembranous colitis,
  • inflammation of the perianal area.

The antibiotic may also contribute to abnormalities in blood counts (deficiency of various types of blood cells, anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia) or loss of appetite.

Read also: KREW - composition and functions

Doxycycline: drug interactions and disease interactions

Other drugs may interact with doxycycline, includingPrescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.Doxycycline shows the ability to combine with divalent and trivalent metal ions such as calcium, iron, aluminum and magnesium s alts.

In order to avoid undesirable ailments , inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are takingor recently, and about medications you intend to use. You should also inform your doctor about your current he alth condition, about any diseases or additional conditions you are struggling with.

Doxycycline: pregnancy and breastfeeding

Before taking the drug, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The use of doxycycline during pregnancy and breastfeeding is generally not recommended.

Doxycycline: drug storage

The drug should be stored in a suitable place that is invisible and inaccessible to children.Store in a dry place at a temperature below 25 ° C in the original package.Do not use the medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

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