Vibramycin (Doxycycline)

Doxycycline [Vibramycin 100mg]

Drug Nomenclature

International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):

Pharmacopoeias. In Europe and US. European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Doxycycline Monohydrate). A yellow crystalline powder. Very slightly soluble in water and in alcohol. It dissolves in dilute solutions of mineral acids and in solutions of alkali hydroxides and carbonates. A 1% suspension in water has a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. Store in airtight containers. Protect from light. The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Doxycycline). A yellow crystalline powder. Very slightly soluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in chloroform and in ether; freely soluble in dilute acid and in alkali hydroxide solutions. pH of a 1% suspension in water is between 5.0 and 6.5. Store in airtight containers. Protect from light.

Doxycycline Calcium

Drug Nomenclature

Doxycycline Fosfatex

Drug Nomenclature

Doxycycline Hyclate

Drug Nomenclature

Pharmacopoeias

In China, Europe, International, Japan US, and Vietnam European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Doxycycline Hyclate). A yellow hygroscopic crystalline powder. Freely soluble in water and in methyl alcohol; sparingly soluble in alcohol. It dissolves in solutions of alkali hydroxides and of carbonates. A 1 % solution in water has a pH of 2.0 to 3.0. Store in airtight containers. Protect from light. The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Doxycycline Hyclate). A yellow crystalline powder. Soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol; practically insoluble in chloroform and in ether; soluble in solutions of alkali hydroxides and carbonates. pH of a solution in water containing the equivalent of doxycycline 1% is between 2.0 and 3.0. Store in airtight containers. Protect from light.

Incompatibility

Preparations of doxycycline hyclate have an acid pH and incompatibility may reasonably be expected with alkaline preparations or with drugs unstable at low pH.

Adverse Effects and Precautions

As for Tetracycline

Gastrointestinal disturbances with doxycycline are reported to be less frequent than with tetracycline and doxycycline may also cause less tooth discoloration. Oesophageal ulceration may be a particular problem if capsules or tablets are taken with insufficient fluid or in a recumbent posture: doxycycline should be taken with at least half a glass of water, in an upright position, and well before going to bed. Dispersible tablets or liquid formulations should be used in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk of oesophageal injury. Unlike many tetracyclines, doxycycline does not appear to accumulate in patients with impaired renal function, and aggravation of impairment may be less likely.

Incidence of adverse effects

For the suggestion that doxycycline may cause fewer adverse effects than minocycline.

Anosmia

Anosmia or dysosmia (absent or impaired sense of smell) have occasionally been reported in patients receiving doxycycline, although the association has not been defmitely established.

Effects on intracranial pressure

Doxycycline has been associated with benign intracranial hypertension; for further details, see under Tetracycline.

Porphyria

Doxycycline has been associated with acute attacks of porphyria and is considered unsafe in porphyric patients.

Interactions

As for Tetracycline. Doxycycline has a lower affinity for binding with calcium than many tetracyclines. Consequently its absorption is less likely to be affected by milk or food, although it is still affected by calcium-containing antacids and other divalent and trivalent cations such as aluminium, bismuth, iron, magnesium, and zinc; even intravenous doxycycline may be affected, although less so than when given orally.

The metabolism of doxycycline may be accelerated by drugs that induce hepatic enzymes such as alcohol (chronic use), rifampicin, and antiepileptics including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone. It has been suggested that doxycycline could increase ciclosporin concentrations, but evidence for this seems to be scant.

Antimicrobial Action

As for Tetracycline. Doxycycline is more active than tetracycline against many bacterial species including Streptococcus pyogenes, enterococci, Nocardia spp., and various anaerobes. Cross-resistance is common although some tetracycline-resistant Staphylococcus aureus respond to doxycycline. Doxycycline is also more active against protozoa, particularly Plasmodium spp.

Pharmacokinetics

For the general pharmacokinetics of the tetracyclines, see Tetracycline. Doxycycline is readily and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and absorption is not significantly affected by the presence of milk or food in the stomach or duodenum. Mean peak plasma concentrations of 2.6 micrograms/mL have been reported 2 hours after a 200-mg oral dose, falling to 1.45 micrograms/mL at 24 hours.

After intravenous infusion of the same dose peak plasma concentrations are briefly somewhat higher, but become very similar to those after oral dosage on equilibration into the tissues. About 80 to 95% of doxycycline in the circulation is reported to be bound to plasma proteins. Its biological half-life varies from about 12 to 24 hours. Doxycycline is more lipid-soluble than tetracycline. It is widely distributed in body tissues and fluids. In patients with normal renal function about 40% of a dose is slowly excreted in the urine, although more is excreted by this route if the urine is made alkaline.

However, the majority of a dose of doxycycline is excreted in the faeces after chelation in the intestines. Although doxycycline has been reported to undergo partial inactivation in the liver, some sources consider this doubtful; however, the kinetics of doxycycline have been reportedly altered in patients receiving drugs that induce hepatic metabolism. Doxycycline is stated not to accumulate significantly in patients with renal impairment, although excretion in the urine is reduced; increased amounts of doxycycline are excreted in the faeces in these patients. Nevertheless, there have been reports of some accumulation in renal failure. Removal of doxycycline by haemodialysis is insignificant.

Uses and Administration

Doxycycline is a tetracycline derivative with uses similar to those of tetracycline. It may sometimes be preferred to other tetracyclines in the treatment of susceptible infections because of its fairly reliable absorption and its long half-life that permits less frequent (often once daily) dosing. It also has the advantage that it can be given (with care) to patients with renal impairment. However, relatively high doses may need to be given for urinary-tract infections because of its low renal excretion.

Doxycycline has antiprotozoal actions and may be given in conjunction with quinine in the management of falciparum malaria resistant to chloroquine. Solutions of doxycycline are also used for malignant effusions.

Doxycycline is usually given orally as the base or its various salts, usually the hyclate. Doses are expressed in terms of doxycycline; doxycycline hyclate 115 mg is equivalent to about 100 mg of anhydrous doxycycline.

Doxycycline capsules and tablets should be given with plenty of fluid, with the patient in an upright position, and well before going to bed. Doxycycline may be given with food or milk if gastric irritation occurs.

Dispersible tablets or liquid formulations are advisable in elderly patients. In patients in whom oral therapy is not feasible, doxycycline hyclate may be given by slow intravenous infusion of a solution containing 0.1 to 1 mg/mL, in equivalent doses. Infusions should be given over 1 to 4 hours. The usual adult dose, either orally or intravenously, is 200 mg of doxycycline on the first day (as a single dose or in divided doses), followed by 100 mg daily.

In severe infections the initial dosage is maintained throughout the course of treatment. In patients with uncomplicated gonococcal infections, doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days is given orally, although it has occasionally been given in a single dose of 300 mg followed by a second similar dose 1 hour later.

For syphilis in penicillin-allergic patients, doxycycline 100 to 200 mg twice daily is given orally for at least 14 days; some authorities suggest giving the same dose for 28 to 30 days to patients with late latent disease and those with syphilis for more than a year should be given 100 mg twice daily for 28 days.

For relapsing fever and louse-borne typhus, doxycycline 100 or 200 mg may be given as a single oral dose.

For prophylaxis of scrub typhus, 200 mg may be taken as a single oral dose.

For the prophylaxis of leptospirosis, 200 mg may be given orally once a week throughout exposure for up to 21 days and 200 mg is also given when leaving the area of infection risk. Doxycycline is used in non-endemic areas for the treatment of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in an oral dose of 200 mg daily for at least 7 days after treatment with quinine. Doxycycline 100 mg daily may be used for prophylaxis in areas of high risk or where multidrug resistance exists, and can be used prophylactically for up to 2 years.

For treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of inhalation anthrax, a 60-day course of treatment with oral doses of 100 mg twice daily may be used; one or two other antibacterials should also be given.

Although unlicensed, the same regimen is recommended by UK and US public health authorities for the treatment of gastrointestinal anthrax. In the treatment of cutaneous anthrax (also unlicensed), a 7- to 10-day course of treatment with an oral dose of doxycycline 100 mg twice daily is recommended; treatment may need to be extended to 60 days if infection is due to aerosol exposure.

If there are signs of systemic involvement, extensive oedema, or lesions on the head and neck, intravenous therapy and a multidrug approach is recommended.

In the treatment of acne, an oral dose of 50 mg daily for 6 to 12 weeks may be adequate, although the BNF advocates a dose of 100 mg daily. It is also given in low doses of 40 mg once daily as a modified-release preparation for the treatment of inflammatory lesions associated with rosacea in adults. Doxycycline may be given orally in low doses of 20 mg twice daily for 3 months as an adjunct to supra-gingival and subgingival scaling and root planing to adults with periodontitis.

For chronic periodontitis, a modified-release subgingival gel containing doxycycline hyclate 10% (released over 7 days) has been inserted into the periodontal pocket. For details of doses in children and adolescents, see below.

Administration

SUBANTIMICROBIAL DOSES

Doxycycline is given in doses of 20 mg orally twice daily, which are not sufficient to achieve antimicrobial concentrations in the body, as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal disease. The benefits of treatment are believed to be due to its ability to down-regulate the actions of matrix metalloproteinases, enzymes involved in the breakdown of collagen and which play a key role in the inflammatory and destructive processes of periodontitis. Similar subantimicrobial doses have been investigated, and produced apparent benefit, in patients with acne or rosacea; there was no evidence that even quite prolonged therapy at these doses influenced the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial flora.

A low-dose modified-release preparation containing doxycycline 40 mg is available in some countries for the treatment of inflammatory lesions associated with rosacea.

Administration in children

In children, the effects on teeth should be considered and tetracyclines only used when absolutely essential. In the UK, doxycycline is licensed for use in children aged 12 years and over; the usual adult dose (see above) may be given orally.

However, in the USA, it may be given to children over 8 years old; those weighing 45 kg or less may be given usual oral or intravenous doses of 4.4 mg/kg on the first day (as a single dose or in divided doses), followed by 2.2 mg/kg daily and those weighing over 45 kg may be given the usual adult dose (see above).

In the USA, doxycycline is licensed in children over 8 years old for prophylaxis of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria in areas of high risk or where multidrug resistance exists. The recommended oral dose is 2 mg/kg (to a maximum of 100 mg) once daily. US public health authorities suggest that doxycycline may be given to children under 8 years old for the treatment of inhalation, gastrointestinal, or cutaneous anthrax, and for postexposure prophylaxis of inhalation anthrax.

For the treatment and postexposure prophylaxis of inhalation anthrax, a 60-day course of treatment with initial intravenous doses of 2.2 mg/kg (to a maximum of 100 mg) twice daily followed by the same dose given orally is recommended; the same regimen is also recommended for the treatment of gastrointestinal anthrax.

As with the adult regimens, one or two other antibacterials should also be given. In the treatment of cutaneous anthrax, a 7- to 10-day course of treatment with an oral dose of 2.2 mg/kg twice daily is recommended; treatment may need to be extended to 60 days if infection is due to aerosol exposure. In the UK public health authorities only recommend doxycycline for those older than 8 years old and weighing over 45 kg who may be given the usual adult dose (see above).

Lymphatic filariasis

Filaria have been shown to contain Wolbachia endobacteria which are essential for larval development and adult worm fertility and viability. This symbiotic dependency has provided a new approach in the treatment of individuals with lymphatic filariasis. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study of 72 patients infected with Wuchereria bancrofti found that those given oral doxycycline 200 mg daily for 8 weeks had a significant reduction in the number of adult worms at 14 months; ultrasonography detected adult worms in 22% of those given doxycycline and in 88% of those given placebo. Microfilaraemia was almost completely eliminated at 8 to 14 months follow-up. See also Onchocerciasis.

Musculoskeletal and joint disorders

For reference to the use of doxycycline in the management of various musculoskeletal and joint disorders, see under Tetracycline.

Onchocerciasis

As in lymphatic filariasis (above), Onchocerca volvulus worms rely on a symbiotic relationship with Wolbachia endobacteria, and this has provided a new approach in the treatment of individuals with onchocerciasis. A 4-month controlled clinical study of 35 patients with onchocerciasis found that those given oral doxycycline lOOmg daily for 6 weeks showed a trend toward more frequent degeneration or death of adult worms and suppressed embryonic development at early stages for the duration of the study period.

A subsequent study of 88 patients found that embryogenesis was interrupted for at least 18 months in those given a single standard dose of ivermectin (150 micrograms/kg) plus oral doxycycline lOOmg daily for 6 weeks compared to those given only the standard dose of ivermectin.

Preparations

British Pharmacopoeia 2008: Dispersible Doxycycline Tablets; Doxycycline Capsules; The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008: Doxycycline Calcium Oral Suspension; Doxycycline Capsules; Doxycycline for Injection; Doxycycline for Oral Suspension; Doxycycline Hyclate Capsules; Doxycycline Hyclate Delayedre lease Capsules; Doxycycline Hyclate Tablets

Single-ingredient Preparations

Multi-ingredient Preparations

Synonyms of Doxycycline:

Doxcycline Anhydrous, Doxycycline Hyclate, Doxycycline Monohydrate, Doxytetracycline

How can i get Doxycycline online over the counter?

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Therapeutic classes of Doxycycline:

Anti-Bacterial Agents, Antimalarials, Tetracyclines

Delivery

Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, USA, Europe [Belgium, France, Norway, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Great Britain (UK), Italy] and etc.