Vibramycin

The active ingredient in Vibramycin is doxycycline hyclate. Doxycycline hyclate is a tetracycline antibiotic. It inhibits the production of specific protein synthesis by some bacteria and parasites, preventing them from growing and spreading in your body.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Vibramycin. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Vibramycin:

• Take doxycycline hyclate with lots of water to avoid burning, inflammation, and ulcers in your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). Try not to lie down too soon after taking it to ensure that it enters your stomach.
• If you are using Vibramycin syrup, use the measuring syringe or spoon provided by your pharmacist. Don't use household spoons or cups because they may cause you to take an incorrect amount.
• If you're taking Doryx or another type of delayed-release doxycycline hyclate, don't crush or chew the tablet since it can impact how well the medication is absorbed by your body. Always swallow the entire tablet with lots of water.

The most common side effects of Vibramycin include:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Stomach upset.
• Loss of appetite.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Intestinal (gut) inflammation.
• Skin rash.
• Swollen tongue.
• Photosensitivity and increased risk of sunburn.
• Vaginal or urethral discharge.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Vibramycin. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Infectious diarrhea caused by C. diff: severe diarrhea, watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
• Pseudotumor cerebri or intracranial hypertension (high blood pressure in the brain): headache, dizziness, blurred vision, swelling inside the eye, vision abnormalities, double vision, and vision loss.
• Severe allergic reactions: itching red rash (hives), difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or eyes.
• Severe skin reactions include fever, chills, muscle pains, fatigue, rash, blistering, and peeling skin as well as exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme.

These are not all of the possible adverse reactions of Vibramycin. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Vibramycin, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Antacids containing calcium, aluminum, and magnesium interact with doxycycline hyclate, affecting how well it is absorbed and acts in your body. Examples include Tums and Rolaids. Other drugs that interact with doxycycline hyclate include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and iron-containing medicines. If you are currently on any of these medications, see your doctor before starting doxycycline hyclate.
• Vibramycin can interact with your contraceptive (birth control pill), making it less effective. To avoid becoming pregnant while using doxycycline hyclate, consider using an additional method of birth control, such as condoms.
• Vibramycin can interact with blood thinners, increasing the risk of bleeding. Blood thinners include warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). For your safety, your healthcare practitioner may reduce the dose of your blood thinner while you are taking doxycycline hyclate.
• Avoid spending too much time in the sun or using tanning beds while taking Vibramycin, as it may make your skin more sensitive to UV damage. Wear protective gear and sunscreen before going outside to lower your chances of getting sunburnt.
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with the use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including Vibramycin.
• If you get severe diarrhea or watery, bloody stools while taking Vibramycin or after stopping, contact your doctor.
• A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) may occur. It can cause severe health problems that may last indefinitely, as well as death. Seek medical attention right away if you have red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• The use of tetracyclines like Vibramycin during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent tooth discoloration.
• If you are using Vibramycin to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted infection.

You should not take Vibramycin if you have a known hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines.

Vibramycin prevents bacteria from developing, allowing your body to get rid of them. But it takes time. The nature and severity of your infection will determine how quickly you see improvement. Vibramycin will typically work within 1 to 2 weeks, but it may take longer. For acne, you may notice improvement in your skin within two weeks, but it can take up to three months to see full results.

When Vibramycin is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs, isotretinoin, tretinoin, antacids, bismuth subsalicylate-containing products, minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements, blood thinners, and penicillin antibiotics.
• Methoxyflurane.
• Augmentin.
• Lasix.

Treatment of Infection: Your dosage will be determined by your medical condition. You should take the medication exactly as directed by your practitioner. In general:

Doxycycline Hyclate (Acticlate, Doryx, Targadox, Vibramycin) and Vibramycin calcium (doxycycline):

Adults and children (weighing 99 pounds or more): The average dose is 100 mg taken orally once or twice daily, depending on the severity of your infection.

Children eight years of age and older (weighing less than 99 pounds): Your child's dose will be determined by their weight. The normal dose is 2.2 mg/kg body weight orally once or twice daily, depending on the severity of the infection.

Malaria prevention begins one to two days before travel to a malaria-infested area and continues daily during travel and for four weeks after leaving the area.

Adults and children (weighing 99 pounds or more): The normal dose is 100 mg taken orally once daily.

Children eight years and older (weighing less than 99 pounds): Your child's dose will be determined by their weight. The normal dose is 2 mg/kg body weight taken orally once daily.

Doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate are two different forms of the same antibiotic.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time, or any further doses.

Store Vibramycin at room temperature and keep it out of reach of children.

Pfizer is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Vibramycin.

Yes, there are several generic versions of Vibramycin available for use.

Even if you begin to feel better, complete your Vibramycin treatment. Stopping too soon can make your infection worse and more difficult to treat.

You should not take Vibramycin while pregnant or trying to get pregnant as it can have a harmful effect on your unborn baby’s teeth and bone development.

Vibramycin can pass into your breast milk but it is not known what effects it may have on your infant. Generally, you should not take this medication while you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.