Monodox : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?
Monodox (Doxycycline) is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; certain skin or eye infections; infections of the lymphatic, intestinal, genital, and urinary systems; and certain other infections that are transmitted by ticks, lice, mites, infected animals, or contaminated food and water. It is also used in conjunction with other medications to treat acne. Monodox is also used to treat or prevent anthrax (a serious infection that can be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack), in people who may have been exposed to anthrax in the air, and to treat plague and tuleramia. (Serious infections that can be spread on purpose as part of a bioterrorist attack). It is also used to prevent malaria. Monodox can also be used in people who cannot be treated with penicillin to treat certain types of food poisoning. Monodox (Oracea) is used only to treat pimples and bumps caused by rosacea (a skin condition that causes redness, redness, and pimples on the face). Monodox belongs to a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat infections by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infect the pores and decreasing a certain natural oily substance that causes acne. It works to treat rosacea by decreasing the inflammation that causes this condition.

Antibiotics like Monodox will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of a subsequent infection that resists treatment with antibiotics.

How should this medicine be used?
Monodox (Doxycycline) comes as a capsule, delayed-release capsule, tablet, delayed-release tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. Monodox is usually taken once or twice a day. Drink a full glass of water with each dose. If you feel sick to your stomach when taking Monodox, you can take it with food or milk. However, taking Monodox with milk or food can decrease the amount of medicine absorbed by the stomach. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take Monodox. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Monodox exactly as directed. Do not take more or less or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you cannot swallow certain delayed-release (Monodox; generic) tablets whole, carefully break the tablet and sprinkle the contents of the tablet in a tablespoon of cold or room temperature (not hot) applesauce. Be careful not to crush or damage any of the granules while breaking the tablet. Eat the mixture right away and swallow without chewing. If the mixture cannot be eaten immediately, it should be discarded.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medicine evenly.

If you are taking Monodox for malaria prevention, start taking it 1-2 days before traveling to an area where there is malaria. Continue taking Monodox each day you are in the area and for 4 weeks after leaving the area. You should not take Monodox for the prevention of malaria for more than 4 months.

Keep taking Monodox even if you feel well. Take all medications until you are finished, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

One Monodox product may not be substituted for another. Make sure you receive only the type of Monodox prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of Monodox they gave you.

Other uses for this medicine
Monodox (Doxycycline) can also be used to treat malaria. It can also be used to treat Lyme disease or to prevent Lyme disease in certain people who have been bitten by a tick. It can also be used to prevent infections in people who have been sexually assaulted. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking Monodox,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Monodox, minocycline, tetracycline, demeclocycline, any other medications, sulfite, or any of the ingredients in Monodox capsules, extended-release capsules, tablets, prolonged-release tablets or suspension. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: acitretin (Soriatane); anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol), phenobarbital, and secobarbital (Seconal); bismuth subsalicylate; carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol, others); isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Clavaris, Myorisan, Zenatane); penicillin; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); and proton pump inhibitors such as dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium, in Vimovo), lansoprazole (Prevacid, in Prevpac), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Yosprala, Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix) and rabep. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Keep in mind that magnesium, aluminum, or calcium-containing antacids, calcium supplements, iron products, and magnesium-containing laxatives interfere with Monodox, making it less effective. Take Monodox 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking antacids, calcium supplements, and laxatives that contain magnesium. Take Monodox 2 hours before or 4 hours after iron preparations and iron-containing vitamin products.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lupus (a condition in which the immune system attacks many tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys), intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high blood pressure in the skull that can cause headaches, blurred or double vision, vision loss, and other symptoms), a fungal infection of the mouth or vagina, surgery on the stomach, asthma, or kidney or liver disease.
• You should know that Monodox may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections). Talk to your doctor about using another method of birth control.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Monodox, call your doctor immediately. Monodox can harm the fetus.
• Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight, and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Monodox can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned.
  You should know that when you receive Monodox for malaria prevention, you should also use protective measures such as effective insect repellents, mosquito nets, full body covering clothing, and stay in well protected areas, especially from night to dawn. Taking Monodox does not give you full protection against malaria.
• You should know that when Monodox is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to 8 years of age, it can cause teeth to become permanently stained. Monodox should not be used in children younger than 8 years of age, except for inhalational anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or if your doctor decides it is necessary.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Monodox may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• itching of the rectum or vagina
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• anxiety
• back pain
• sore or irritated throat
• swollen tongue
• changes in color of skin, scars, nails, eyes, or mouth

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• headache
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• skin redness, peeling or blistering
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision
• rash that may occur with fever or swollen glands
• joint pain
• chest pain
• discoloration of permanent (adult) teeth
• watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
• a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

Monodox may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit an online report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in its container, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medications out of the sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as those for taking pills weekly and those used for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not resistant to children and children. young children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately put the medicine in a safe place, one that is up and away and out of your sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to get rid of your medication is through a medication take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local recycling / trash department to find out about return programs in your community. Check out the FDA’s Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the Poison Control Helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, call 911 immediately.

What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor will want to verify your response to Monodox.

Before having a laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking Monodox.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Your prescription probably cannot be filled. If you still have symptoms of infection after finishing Monodox, call your doctor.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should carry this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to take with you in emergencies.

Brand Names

• Acticlate
• Acticlate CAP
• Doryx
• Doryx MPC
• Doxychel
• Monodox
• Oracea
• Periostat
• Vibra-Tabs
• Vibramycin

Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.