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Brand name: Doxycycline (AN) TM

Active ingredients: doxycycline

What it is used for

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); 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). Borreliae (relapsing fever); Calymmatobacterium (Donovania) granulomatis (granuloma inguinale). Infections caused by the following Gram-negative microorganisms: Vibrio sp. (cholera); Brucella sp. (Brucellosis, in conjunction with streptomycin); Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid); Yersinia pestis (plague); Francisella tularensis (tularaemia); Bartonella bacilliformis (Bartonellosis); Bacteroides sp. When penicillin is contraindicated, doxycycline is an alternative drug in the treatment of infections due to: Treponema pallidum (syphilis); Treponema perenue (yaws); Neisseria gonorrhoea (see Dosage and Administration). Doxycycline is not the drug of choice in the treatment of any type of staphylococcal infection of 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. Doxycycline should not be used in 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. In acute intestinal amoebiasis doxycycline may be a useful adjunct to amoebicides. In severe acne, doxycycline may be a useful adjunctive therapy. 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, for example chloroquine. Note: The 50mg tablet is not a paediatric formulation.

How to take it

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

  • Store below 30 degrees Celsius
  • Protect from Light
  • Protect from Moisture
  • Shelf lifetime is 2 Years.

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

White film-coated, circular, biconvex tablet having a diameter of approximately 6.3mm.

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Do I need a prescription?

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

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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