Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
BRAND NAME: Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox and
others
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Doxycycline is a synthetic (man-made)
antibiotic derived from tetracycline. Doxycycline works by interrupting the
production of proteins by bacteria. It is effective against a wide variety of
bacteria, such as Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Mycoplasma
pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, and
many others.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 40, 50, 75, and 100 mg. Tablets: 50, 75, 100, and 150
mg. Suspension: 25 mg/teaspoon. Syrup: 50 mg/teaspoon. Powder for injection:
42.5, 100, and 200 mg.
STORAGE: Tablets, capsules, syrup and suspension should be kept at room
temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F) in tight, light resistant containers.
Powder for
injection should be stored at or below 25°C (77°F) and protected from light.
Atridox should be stored at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Doxycycline is used for many different types of infections,
including respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilus influenzae,
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also is used for the
treatment of nongonococcal urethritis (due to Ureaplasma),
Rocky mountain
spotted fever, typhus,
chancroid, cholera,
brucellosis, anthrax,
syphilis, and
acne.
DOSING: The absorption of doxycycline is not markedly affected by food, and
therefore, it can be taken with meals. For most infections, doxycycline is taken
once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days. For adult infections, the usual dose of
oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (100 mg every 12 hours)
followed by a dose of 100 mg/day as a single dose or 50 mg twice daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: It is recommended that doxycycline not be taken at the
same time as aluminum, magnesium, or calcium based antacids, such as
Mylanta,
Maalox,
Tums, or
Rolaids because, like food, these medications bind doxycycline
in the intestine and prevent its absorption. Similarly, doxycycline should not
be taken with minerals (such as calcium or iron) or with
bismuth subsalicylate
(Pepto Bismol).
Doxycycline may enhance the activity of warfarin (Coumadin) and cause
excessive "thinning" of the blood leading to exaggerated bleeding, necessitating
a reduction in the dose of warfarin. Phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine
(Tegretol), and barbiturates (such as phenobarbital) may enhance the metabolism
(destruction) of doxycycline thus making it less effective.
PREGNANCY: Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline, can have toxic
effects on development of bone in the fetus. Therefore, tetracyclines are not
recommended during pregnancy unless there is no other appropriate antibiotic.
NURSING MOTHERS: Doxycycline is secreted into
breast milk but the extent of
absorption by the breastfed infant is not known. Since tetracyclines can cause
toxic effects on bone, the use of tetracyclines in nursing mothers is of
concern. The physician must decide whether to recommend that a nursing mother
discontinue nursing during treatment with tetracyclines or change to a different
antibiotic.
SIDE EFFECTS: Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated. The most common side
effects are diarrhea or loose stools,
nausea, abdominal pain, and
vomiting.
Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline, may cause tooth discoloration if used in
persons below 8 years of age. Exaggerated
sunburn can occur with tetracyclines;
therefore, sunlight should be minimized during treatment.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles, impetigo, styes, and boils. Normal skin tissue doesn't usually allow MRSA infection to develop. Individuals with depressed immune systems and people with cuts, abrasions, or chronic skin disease are more susceptible to MRSA infection.
Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis symptoms include: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Treatment methods include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
Acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of oil glands at the
base of hair follicles. This inflammation, depending on its location, can take the form
of a superficial pustule (contains pus), a pimple, a deeper cyst, congested pores, whiteheads, or blackheads. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the acne.
Lyme disease is a bacterial illness, which is spread by ticks when they bite the skin. Initially the disease affects the skin causing a reddish rash associated with flu-like symptoms. It takes weeks to months after the initial redness of the skin for its effects to spread throughout the body. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Lyme disease can be prevented by using tick avoidance techniques.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for chlamydia.
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of the facial skin, symptoms include dilation of the blood vessels and pimples (acne rosacea) in the middle third of the face. Oral and topical antibiotics are treatments for rosacea. If left untreated, rhinophyma (a disfiguring nose condition) may result.
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms of malaria include chills, pain, fever, and sweating. Though mild cases of malaria can be treated with oral medication, severe cases require intravenous drug treatment and fluids.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Cholera is an infectious disease characterized by intense vomiting and profuse watery diarrhea and that rapidly lease to dehydration and often death. Cholera is caused by infection with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which may be transmitted via infected fecal matter, food, or water.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. The illness progresses in two phases. Symptoms in the first phase include headache, muscle aches, eye pain with bright lights, chills, and fever. Symptoms in the second phase begin after a few days of feeling well and include fever, aches, and a stiff neck. Some people develop meningitis and abdominal pain.
It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Breast milk is easily digested by babies and contains infection-fighting antibodies and cholesterol, which promotes brain growth. Formula-fed babies actually need to eat somewhat less often since formula is less readily digested by the baby than human milk. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of feeding.
Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease that may be transmitted to humans by infected animals or by biological warfare. There are three types of anthrax: cutaneous, inhalation, and gastrointestinal. Symptoms of cutaneous anthrax include a swollen glands, muscle ache, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a red-brown raised spot that enlarges, blisters, and hardens, forming an ulcer crater with black crust. Symptoms of inhalation anthrax are flulike and may progress to respiratory distress, shock, coma, and death. Symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax include loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Treatment for cutaneous anthrax involves penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and ciprofloxin. Inhalation anthrax necessitates treatment with IV therapy with antibiotics.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. Acne rosacea, Staphylococcal bacteria, allergies, sensitivities to makeup or contact lens solutions, head lice, or other conditions may cause blepharitis. Symptoms and signs include itchy eyelids, burning sensation in the eyes, crusting of the eyelids, light sensitivity, red, swollen eyelids, loss of eyelashes, and dandruff of the lashes and eyebrows. Proper eyelid hygiene and a regular cleaning routine controls blepharitis.
Travelers' diarrhea is generally contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food is the primary source of travelers' diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the cause of up to 70% of all cases of travelers' diarrhea. There are five unique classes of E. coli that causes gastroenteritis. Other bacteria responsible for travelers' diarrhea include
Campylobacter, jejuni, shigella, and salmonella. Viruses such as rotavirus and Norwalk virus (norovirus) and giardia lamblia a parasite may cause travelers' diarrhea. Prevention is careful eating and drinking of water.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infectious disease that's transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with the Rickettsia rickettsii bacterial organism. Initial symptoms of RMSF include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and severe headache. Later symptoms include rash, abdominal pain, joint pain, and diarrhea. Treatment usually involves a tetracycline antibiotic.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the Brucella bacteria. Symptoms and signs include sweating, fever, fatigue, dizziness, headache, cough, chest, joint, and abdominal pain, and enlarged liver and/or spleen. Brucellosis is treated with antibiotics.
Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Though most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, some reactions may be life-threatening. Preventing bug bites and stings with insect repellant, wearing the proper protective attire, and not wearing heavily scented perfumes when in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas is key.
Typhus is a disease caused by Rickettsia bacteria. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. Antibiotics are recommended as the treatment for endemic and epidemic typhus infections.
Legionellosis is an infection caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. There are two forms of legionellosis: Pontiac fever and Legionnaires' disease, which is the more severe of the two infections. Symptoms of Pontiac fever include fever, headache, muscle aches, and chills. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include cough, chills, fever and sometimes muscle aches, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and severe pneumonia. While Pontiac fever resolves on its own, Legionnaires' disease must be treated with antibiotics.
Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in the tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pertenue, which causes lesions that look like bumps on the skin of the feet, hands, face, and genital area. Yaws is treated with penicillin or another antibiotic.
Melioidosis (Whitmore's disease) is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria. Symptoms include bronchitis, pneumonia, fever, headache, loss of appetite, cough and chest pain. Treatment involves antibiotics or surgical removal of the lung abscess in severe cases.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Travelers should prepare for their trip by visiting their physician to get the proper vaccinations and obtain the necessary medication if they have a medical condition or chronic disease. Diseases that travelers may pick up from contaminated water or food, insect or animal bites, or from other people include malaria, meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio, and cholera.
Tularemia (rabbit fever) is an infection caused by the Francisella tularensis bacteria. People can become infected with tularemia by coming into contact with infected animals or via a tick bite. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache and rash. Tularemia is treated with streptomycin or gentamicin.
Typhus is a bacterial disease; there are two types termed
endemic and epidemic.
Typhus has a long and deadly history, especially epidemic
typhus.
Typhus is caused by bacteria. Rickettsia prowazekii causes epidemic
typhus. Rickettsia typhi and, occasionally, R. felis cause endemic typhus and are
transmitted to humans by vectors such as lice (mainly epidemic) and fleas (mainly
endemic).
Risk factors include visiting or living in areas where rats, mice, and
other animals have high populations (for example, disaster areas,
poverty-stricken areas, refugee camps, jails) where vectors such as fleas and
lice can carry the bacteria from the animals to infect humans.
Endemic typhus
symptoms can include rash that begins on the body trunk and spreads, high fever,
nausea, malaise, diarrhea, and vomiting; Epidemic typhus has similar but more
severe symptoms, including bleeding into th...