Makindo Medical Notes

⚠️ Should not be given to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or children <12 years (except anthrax when no alternative exists).

📖 About

Always check the BNF link here.

• 💊 A tetracycline antibiotic, usually taken once daily.
• 💧 Swallow capsules with plenty of fluid, preferably with food (to reduce GI upset).

⚙️ Action

• 🌍 Broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and atypical organisms.
• 🔗 Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis (binds to 30S ribosomal subunit).

💉 Indications / Dose

• 🫁 CAP/HAP/COPD exacerbation: 200 mg stat, then 100 mg OD for 5 days PO.
• 🧬 Early syphilis: 100 mg BD for 14 days.
• 🧬 Late syphilis: 200 mg BD for 28 days.
• 💙 Genital chlamydia: 100 mg BD for 7 days.
• 🕷️ Lyme disease: 100 mg BD for 21 days.
• ☣️ Anthrax: 100 mg BD (children only if no alternative).
• 🦟 Falciparum malaria (with quinine): 200 mg/day for 7 days.
• 😊 Acne / rosacea: 100 mg OD (long-term courses common).

🔄 Interactions

• 📌 See BNF for full details.
• ⚠️ Absorption reduced by milk, antacids, and iron preparations (separate doses by several hours).

⚠️ Cautions

• 🦷 Causes dental staining and enamel hypoplasia in children.
• 🌞 Photosensitivity – advise avoiding UV exposure and tanning lamps.
• 🦴 Deposition in developing bone and teeth.

⛔ Contraindications

• 🚫 Pregnancy.
• 🚫 Breastfeeding.
• 🚫 Children <12 years (except anthrax).
• ⚠️ Use cautiously in renal impairment.

💥 Side Effects

• 🤢 GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated colitis.
• 🌡️ Dermatological: rash, dermatitis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome.
• 🧠 Neurological: idiopathic intracranial hypertension (rare but important).
• 🧪 Hepatic: hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis.
• 🦷 Dental: staining, enamel hypoplasia (esp. children).

📚 References

• Doxycycline in BNF