DOXYCYCLINE

AN OVERIVEW

Doxycycline is one genre of pharmaceutical drugs, which is widely prevalent for the therapeutic efficacy that it displays. Doxycycline is marketed under the brand name of Vibramycin in the US.

Doxycycline has a wide range of therapeutic efficacy, which ranges from management and treatment of Acne to infections. The limitations of Doxycycline being the inability to control and manage infections of the likes of – flu, colds and viral.

Doxycycline is evidently prescription drugs in the US – considering that Doxycycline can only be procured on the prescription of a Doctor.

DOXYCYCLINE PACKAGING

Doxycycline is packaged in the US and Canada as:

• Oral preparation
• Parenteral – as injections

The oral preparations of Doxycycline being available as:

• Tablets in the US and Canada
• Capsules (US and Canada)
• Oral Suspensions
• Delayed Release Capsules

VIBRAMYCIN – DOXYCYCLINE – STORAGE PROTOCOL

• These medicines are best stored away from heat and sunlight
• Need be kept out of reach of children
• Keep away from heat and dampness such as – bathroom closets, kitchen sinks and the likes
• Discarded or expired medicines need be kept out of reach of children – better still such medicines need be discarded immediately rather than storing them.

PRECAUTIONS AND CAUTIONS WHILE ADMINISTRING DOXYCYCLINE

Doxycycline needs to be administered with caution:

• DEMOGRAPHICS

Children less than eight years of age would well be advised not to take Doxycycline and Vibramycin unless specified by the Physician

• DENTAL

Vibramycin and allied from the Tetracycline genre like Doxycycline are known to give rise to the irreversible discoloration of the Teeth.

• ENTERIC

Doxyxcycline and Vibramycin are known to cause irritation of the stomach and the esophagus (the food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach) and this is best prevented using at least one full glass of water (eight ounces) while administering Vibramycin or any other Tetracycline.

• POTENCY

Vibramycin or Doxycycline, which cannot or should not be used considering that they could cause serious side effects:

- Outdated capsules

- Change in color or taste

- When improperly stored like in a very damp or warm place

· DURATION

Doxycycline needs be taken for the entire duration of treatment for incomplete treatment could lead to recurrence of symptoms

· ENTERICS

Enteric-coated pills are the preferred options for Doxycycline capsules are known to give gastric irritations or stomach upsets in most – these pills are additionally usually administered with milk – which minimizes the gastric symptoms significantly

It is mandatory for the Doxycycline pills to be taken without damage or destruction of the enteric coating

DOXYCYCLINE ADVERSITIES

Doxycycline is a highly effective broad-spectrum medication – however it is not without adverse side effects:

· PHOTOSENSITIVITY

Increased sensitivity to sunlight

· GENERALIZED

- Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain and gastric irritation

- Yellowing of skin

- Visual changes

INDICATIONS

Doxycycline is used for a wide array of disease conditions:

· Gonococci Arthritis

· Lyme’s Disease

· Pneumothorax – having a layer of air in the space surrounding the lungs

· Shigellosis – a type of intestinal infections

· Malaria

· Leprosy

Doxyxycline – Vibramycin then are high efficacy wide spectrum medications, which have wide spectra of indications and finds universal acceptability. On the contrary the medications are not entirely safe and need be taken with care at all times considering the high efficacy levels achieved.