Vibramycin (Doxycycline Hyclate)

Do’s

• Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking Vibramycin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider.
• Vibramycin is best taken by mouth on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) as directed by your healthcare provider, usually 1 or 2 times daily. It should be taken with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless directed otherwise.
• If stomach upset occurs, taking it with food or milk may help. However, Vibramycin may not work as well if taken with food or milk (or anything high in calcium), so ask your healthcare provider if you may take it that way. 
• Take this medication 2 to 3 hours before or after taking any products containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, or bismuth subsalicylate. These products bind with doxycycline, preventing your body from fully absorbing the drug.
• When using Vibramycin to prevent malaria, take this medication as directed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily, starting 1 to 2 days before travel. Continue to take this medication daily while in the malarious area. Upon returning home, continue taking this medication for 4 more weeks. If unable to finish this course of Vibramycin, contact your healthcare provider.
• If using the liquid form of this medication, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. 
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, the dosage may also be based on weight.
• For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time(s) every day.
• Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.
• Tell your healthcare provider if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Don’ts

• After taking the capsule form, do not lie down for at least 10 minutes.
• Do not use a household spoon when measuring the liquid form because you may not get the correct dose.

Common Side Effects: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Loss of appetite
• Mild diarrhea
• Skin rash or itching
• Darkened skin color
• Vaginal itching or discharge

Serious Side Effects: 

• Throat irritation
• Trouble swallowing
• Chest pain
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Little or no urination
• Low white blood cell counts
• Increased pressure inside the skull
• Signs of liver or pancreas problems

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. If you experience any side effects, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Vibramycin may cause photosensitivity, leading to an exaggerated sunburn reaction in some individuals when exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. Treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema.

Since Vibramycin could make individuals more susceptible to sunburn, it is advisable to avoid sunlight or tanning beds, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen when outdoors.

Vibramycin Syrup contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions, including anaphylactic symptoms and asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible individuals. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic people.

Use of Vibramycin may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, Vibramycin should be discontinued, and appropriate therapy instituted.

Store Vibramycin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Unused medicine should be discarded after the expiration date on the label has passed, as using expired Vibramycin can cause damage to the kidneys.

Avoid taking any other antibiotics with Vibramycin unless directed by a healthcare provider.