What are Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules and what are they used for
Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules contain the active substance Demeclocycline Hydrochloride. This is an antibiotic (kills bacteria) belonging to the tetracycline group of antibiotics. It is used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria.
Some of these infections are:
- Severe acne
- Infections of the brain and liver caused by the bacteria Leptospira
- Infection caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis)
- Infections caused by Rickettsiae micro-organisms transmitted by lice, fleas, ticks and mites
- Infections of the sex organs and organs associated with urination (genito-urinary infections) such as an infection called chancroid, non-gonococcal urethritis
- Rare infections such as Tularaemia and bubonic plague.
It may also be used to treat a rare condition in which a tumour of the pituitary gland in your brain causes the amount of sodium in your blood to be too low.
Before you take Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules
Do not take Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules if
- You know that you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic, including Demeclocycline, or to any of the other ingredients (see section 6 of this leaflet)
- You have a genetic disorder of your enzymes called acute porphyria. This may affect your nervous system and cause abdominal pain, vomiting and weakness
- You have severe problems with your kidneys
- If the patient is under 12 years of age.
Speak to your doctor if any of these apply to you before you start taking this product. Take special care with Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules and tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Are sensitive to the sun, or have ever had any sun related skin reactions. You should avoid direct sunlight or using sunlamps while you are taking this medicine
- Are suffering from any disease which affects your liver or kidneys which is not severe
- Suffer from myasthenia gravis, a condition characterized by muscle weakness, difficulty chewing and swallowing and slurred speech
- Suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, known as SLE (which is an allergic condition which causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever).
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or having recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, the effects of Demeclocycline Hydrochloride may be altered if you are already taking:
- Warfarin, coumarins and phenindione which are medicines used to thin your blood
- Retinoids (such as acitretin or isotretinoin), which are used for acne treatment
- Oral contraceptive pills. Your doctor will advise you on another method of birth control while you are on Demeclocycline
- Penicillin antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin)
- Migraine treatments e.g. ergotamine and methysergide
- Sucralfate and tripotassium dicitratobismuthate, which are medicines used to treat stomach or gut ulcers
- Oral typhoid vaccine
- Strontium ranelate which is used to treat bone diseases
- Diarrhoea medicines e.g. kaolin
- Antacid medicines which contain magnesium or aluminium
- Supplements or medicines which contain iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium or aluminium. If you need to go to the hospital for an operation whilst you are taking this product, tell your doctor that you are taking Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules.
- Talcing Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules with food and drink
The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and on an empty stomach.
Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules will be less effective if taken at the same time as food, milk, dairy products or supplements containing iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium or aluminium .
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules should not be taken during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
This medicine can cause headaches, dizziness and disturbances in vision and rarely, with hearing.
If this happens to you, do not drive or operate machinery until these symptoms have gone away or until you have finished taking the capsules.
How to take Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules
Always take Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The following information is to give you an idea of the usual doses given to treat particular illnesses. Different doses may be prescribed and if this applies to you, discuss it with your doctor.
You should complete the course of capsules as prescribed by your doctor.
For most infections: a total of 4 capsules every day are needed. These can be taken as 2 capsules in the morning and 2 in the evening, or as 1 capsule four times a day.
For pneumonia: 2 capsules are usually taken three times a day.
For the treatment of low sodium in the blood: The starting dose is between 6 and 8 capsules each day divided equally over the day. After a while this dose is reduced to between 4 and 6 capsules each day.
Never take more capsules than the doctor has told you to. It will not help you get better any faster and could be harmful to you.
The capsules should be swallowed whole with plenty of water. You should take them while you are sitting or standing. Do not take them when you are lying down.
These capsules are best taken on an empty stomach. To make sure of this you should not eat a meal for at least an hour before, or for two hours after you need to take a dose. If you take them closer to a mealtime, there will be food in your stomach and they will not work as well. You should avoid large milky drinks during this time as well, although a small amount in tea or coffee doesn’t matter
Some medicines and vitamin/mineral products can stop this medicine working properly if they are taken together. These include indigestion remedies (antacids) and vitamin/mineral products that contain iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium or aluminium in any form. If you need to take any of these while you are taking Demeclocycline Hydrochloride, you should take them at least an hour before or two hours after taking your Demeclocycline Hydrochloride dose.
If you take more capsules than you should:
If you accidentally take too many capsules, call your doctor straightaway, or go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Take any remaining capsules and this leaflet with you so that the medical staff know what you have taken.
If you forget to take your capsules:
Take a dose as soon as you remember, and then carry on as before.
However you should not take any more capsules than usual on one day to catch up for those missed on the previous day. Do not take two doses at the same time. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
All medicines can cause allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are rare. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately.
If you notice any of the following side effects, stop talcing the medicine and talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- blistering or bleeding of the skin around the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Also flu-like symptoms and fever. This may be something called ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome:
- unusual bruising
- severe watery diarrhoea, unusually dark urine or a large increase or sudden decrease in the amount of urine, or a change in the frequency with which you need to pass water. You may become very thirsty and need to go to the toilet a lot more often than usual
- difficulty in swallowing
- weak feeling in your muscles
- severe chest pains, or severe pain in the stomach
- blurred vision, or a very bad headache that will not go away
- liver, kidney problems and disturbances of blood cells (shown by blood tests) have been reported (symptoms of which include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, sore throat, mouth ulcers, difficulty in passing urine, back pain).
Most of the other side effects that may occur are mild and can include:
- an upset stomach, feeling sick or being sick
- heartburn
- dizziness, disturbed hearing
- thrush (vaginal itch and discharge caused by fungal infection)
- increased sensitivity to the sun/sunlamps (possibly causing sunburn).
If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell vour doctor or pharmacist.
How to store Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Blister Pack – Store in original package in order to protect from light and moisture. Container/Bottle – Keep the container/bottle tightly closed in the outer carton in order to protect from light and moisture.
Do not use after the expiry date. This date is printed on your pack.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules Contain
The active substance is 150mg of Demeclocycline Hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are: cellulose, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide and a gelatin capsule shell coloured with red iron oxide (E172), yellow iron oxide (E172), Erythrosine (El27), titanium dioxide (E171) and black iron oxide (E172).
What Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules looks like and contents of the pack
Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Capsules are hard capsules with a red cap with FW printed in black ink, and a peach base with 154 printed in black ink. Demeclocycline Hydrochloride Casules are available in containers of 20, 28 and 100 capsules, bottles of 100 capsules or blister pack of 20 capsules (not all pack sizes are marketed).