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Brand name: Doxylin TM

Active ingredients: doxycycline

What it is used for

NOTE: the 50mg tablet is not a paediatric formulation. Doxycycline is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by the following microorganisms: Mycoplasma pneumoniae: primary atypical pneumonia; Rickettsiae: Queensland tick typhus, epidemic typhus fever, Q fever, murine endemic typhus fever, Australo-Pacific endemic scrub typhus; Chlamydia psittaci: psittacosis; Calymmatobacterium (Donovania) granulomatis: granuloma inguinale; Chlamydia trachomatis: lymphogranuloma venereum, trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis (Doxycycline is indicated in the treatment of trachoma, although the infectious agent is not always eliminated, as judged by immunofluorescence. Inclusion conjunctivitis may be treated with oral doxycycline alone or in combination with topical agents.); Doxycycline is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by the following Gram-negative microorganisms: Vibrio species: Cholera; Brucella species: Brucellosis (in conjunction with streptomycin); Yersinia pestis: plague; Francisella tularensis: tularaemia; Bartonella bacilliformis: Bartonellosis; Bacteroides species. Doxycycline is active against both pre-erythrocytic and asexual bloodstages of Plasmodium falciparum. The tetracyclines are only partially active against the pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium vivax, and protection depends on drug suppression of the blood stages. Doxycycline has no activity against the relapsing forms (hypnozoites) of Plasmodium vivax. Doxycycline is indicated, in adults and children older than 10 years, as chemoprophylaxis for malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and, in combination with other antimalarial agents, against malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. Doxycycline is only able to suppress malaria caused by P.vivax. As there are relatively few locations where P.vivax does not co-exist to some extent with P.falciparum, it is recommended that doxycycline should be used routinely with other agents, eg. chloroquine. When penicillin is contraindicated, doxycycline is an alternative drug in the treatment of infections due to: Treponema pallidum: syphilis; Treponema pertenue: yaws; Neisseria gonorrhoeae: gonorrhoea. Doxycycline may be a useful adjunct to amoebicides in the treatment of acute intestinal amoebiasis. In the treatment of severe acne, doxycycline may be a useful adjunctive therapy. Doxycycline is not the drug of choice in the following: Any type of staphylococcal infection or infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, or any type of enteric bacteria because many strains of these organisms have been shown to be resistant to doxycycline. Doxylin should not be used for these infections unless the organism has been shown to be sensitive. For upper respiratory infections due to group A B-haemolytic streptococci, (including prophylaxis of rheumatic fever), penicillin is the usual drug of choice.

How to take it

The way to take this medicine is: Oral. This medicine is taken by mouth.

  • Store below 30 degrees Celsius
  • Shelf lifetime is 30 Months.

You should seek medical advice in relation to medicines and use only as directed by a healthcare professional.

Always read the label. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

Visual appearance

7mm normal convex, yellow film coated tablet, debossed DE over 50 on one side, G on the reverse.

Do I need a prescription?

This medicine is available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4 : Prescription Only Medicine.

Is this medicine subsidised?

This medicine was verified as being available on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on April 1, 2024. To learn more about this subsidy, visit the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website.

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?

For the active ingredient doxycycline

You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.

Download leaflet

For side effects, taking other medicines and more

Download consumer medicine information leaflet (pdf) from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website

Reporting side effects

You can help ensure medicines are safe by reporting the side effects you experience.

You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems

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