Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you are using Doryx® delayed-release capsules:

  • It may be taken with food or milk, if it upsets your stomach.
  • You may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of cold, soft applesauce. Do not lose any pellets when transferring the contents. The mixture should be swallowed right away without chewing and followed with a glass of cool water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets. Do not store the mixture for later use.

Swallow the delayed-release tablets whole. Do not chew or crush it.

If you are using the delayed-release tablets or tablets:

  • It may be taken with food or milk, if it upsets your stomach.
  • You may take this medicine by breaking the tablets. Hold the tablet between your thumb and index fingers close to the appropriate score (separation) line. Then, apply enough pressure to snap the tablet segments apart. Do not use the tablet if it does not break on the scored lines.
  • You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the broken tablets onto cold, soft food, including applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing and drink with a glass of water. Do not store the mixture for later use.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open it. You may take the Acticlate® Cap capsules and Doxycycline capsules with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.

Shake the oral liquid well just before each use. Measure the dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid throat irritation and ulceration.

If you are using this medicine to prevent malaria while traveling, start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before you travel. Take the medicine every day during your trip and continue taking it for 4 weeks after you return. However, do not use the medicine for longer than 4 months.

If you are using Oracea™ delayed-release capsules:

  • You should take this medicine on an empty stomach, preferably at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
  • You should take this medicine with a full glass of water while sitting or standing.
  • To prevent throat irritation, do not lay down right after taking this medicine.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

To switch from Doryx® delayed-release tablets to Doryx® MPC delayed-release tablets:

  • Replace a 50 milligram (mg) dose of Doryx® delayed-release tablet with a 60 mg dose of Doryx® MPC delayed-release tablet.
  • Replace a 100 mg dose of Doryx® delayed-release tablet with a 120 mg dose of Doryx® MPC delayed-release tablet.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (capsules, suspension, syrup, tablets):
    • For infections:
      • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours on the first day, then 100 mg once a day or 50 to 100 mg every 12 hours.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 mg every 12 hours on the first day, then 100 mg once a day or 50 to 100 mg every 12 hours.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 4.4 mg per kg of body weight per day and divided into 2 doses on the first day of treatment. This is followed by 2.2 mg per kg of body weight per day, taken as a single dose or divided into two doses on the following days.
      • Children up to 8 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the prevention of malaria:
      • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) once a day. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 mg once a day. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2 mg per kg of body weight per day, taken as a single dose. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended.
    • For anthrax after possible exposure:
      • Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day (every 12 hours) for 60 days.
      • Children weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.2 mg per kg of body weight per day, 2 times a day for 60 days.
  • For oral dosage form (delayed-release capsules):
    • For the treatment of pimples from rosacea:
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) or one capsule once a day, in the morning.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (Doryx® delayed-release capsules, Doryx® delayed-release tablets):
    • For anthrax after possible exposure:
      • Delayed-release capsules:
        • Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day (every 12 hours) for 60 days.
        • Children weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2 mg per kg of body weight per day, 2 times a day for 60 days.
      • Delayed-release tablets:
        • Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day (taken every 12 hours) for 60 days.
        • Children weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.2 mg per kg of body weight per day, 2 times a day for 60 days.
    • For infections:
      • Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours on the first day, then 100 mg once a day or 50 to 100 mg every 12 hours.
      • Children weighing less than 45 kg with severe or life threatening infections (eg, anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.2 mg per kg of body weight taken every 12 hours.
      • Children older than 8 years of age and weighing less than 45 kg with less severe infections—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 4.4 mg per kg of body weight per day and divided into 2 doses on the first day of treatment. This is followed by 2.2 mg per kg of body weight per day, taken as a single dose or divided into two doses on the following days.
      • Children up to 8 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the prevention of malaria:
      • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) once a day. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 mg once a day. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children 8 years of age or older weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2 mg per kg of body weight per day, taken as a single dose. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended.
  • For oral dosage form (Doryx® MPC delayed-release tablet):
    • For infections:
      • Adults and children older than 8 years of age and weighs 45 kilograms (kg) or more, with or without severe or life-threatening infections—120 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours on the first day, then 120 mg once a day or 60 to 120 mg every 12 hours.
      • Children older than 8 years of age and weighs less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5.3 mg per kg of body weight per day and divided into 2 doses on the first day of treatment. This is followed by 2.6 mg per kg of body weight per day, taken as a single dose or divided into two doses on the following days.
      • Children weighing less than 45 kg with severe or life-threatening infections—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.6 mg per kg of body weight per day given every 12 hours.
      • Children 8 years of age and younger—Use is not recommended.
    • For prevention of malaria:
      • Adults and children weighing more than 45 kilograms (kg)—120 milligrams (mg) once a day. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children 8 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.4 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken as a single dose. You should take the first dose 1 or 2 days before traveling to an area where malaria may occur, and continue taking the medicine every day throughout your travel and for 4 weeks after you leave the malarious area.
      • Children up to 8 years of age—Use is not recommended.
    • For anthrax after possible exposure:
      • Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—120 milligrams (mg) two times a day for 60 days.
      • Children weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.6 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, two times a day for 60 days.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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