Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that belongs to the group of tetracyclines. The medicine was developed by Pfizer Inc. in the 1960s and is sold under the trade name Vibramycin. Today doxycycline is also produced by other drug companies under various names such as Vibra-Tabs, Periostat, Doryx, Oracea, Vibrox, Monodox, Adoxa, Microdox, Doxylin, Doxoral, Atridox and Doxyhexal.
Doxycycline is very efficacious in treatment of infections that are triggered by certain bacteria. This medicine may be used together with other drugs to treat some amoeba infections. It can also be taken to avert or slow down the development of anthrax. This tetracycline antibiotic works by retarding bacterial growth. Slowing bacteria multiplication enables the immune system of the body to eliminate the bacteria.
The use of this medicine involves certain side effects. Doxycycline may provoke photosensitivity reactions for people who intend to use it for a long period of time for malaria prevention. In contrast to some other tetracycline drugs, it may be taken by the patients who suffer from renal insufficiency. Previously, there was a belief that the medicine weakens the effect of different hormonal contraceptives because of CYP450 induction. However, recent studies have proved that doxycycline has insignificant impact on the effectiveness of birth-pills.
Before resorting to doxycycline, you should make sure whether this medicine is suitable to you. Thus expectant mothers and suckling women had better avoid treatment with this antibiotic. Besides, it may interact with some prescription as well as non-prescription medicines, herbal remedies or diet pills. While using this drug it may be also necessary to abstain from certain food and substances. Besides, it is better to avoid using doxycyclin if you suffer from diarrhea, an enteric or stomach infection, lupus, or some blood disease.
Although doxycycline carries some side effects, it is reputed as a very efficacious remedy against numerous infections. This broad spectrum antibiotic is used for treating of various conditions. But being a prescription medicine, doxycycline should only be used after consultation with a medical professional.