Demeclocycline
Description
Demeclocycline is an antibiotic which is used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria in the lungs, eyes, intestines, urinary tract, reproductive organs, or skin, etc. It is also used to treat certain infections caused by lice, ticks, mites, etc. It is used along with other medicines to treat severe acne. This medicine may also be used to treat syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), a condition where there are high levels of antidiuretic hormones in the body.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Demeclocycline
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Headache
- Skin Rash
- Hearing disturbances
- Tooth Discoloration
- Dizziness
Uses of Demeclocycline
What is it prescribed for?
- Susceptible infections
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SAIDH)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Demeclocycline or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 12 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with an impaired kidney function due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Photosensitivity
This medicine may increase the risk of sunburn. This risk is especially higher in patients exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. If any symptoms such as a skin rash or redness occur, discontinue treatment and contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Drug-resistance
Usage of this medicine without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing benefits and may even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that are drug resistant.
Diarrhea
Antibiotic therapy will cause an imbalance in the normal microbial flora of the large intestine, which may promote the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile and you may experience severe diarrhea as a result. Report any such incidence to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Calcium gluconate
Live cholera vaccine
Digoxin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Colitis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis. Inform your doctor if you have any history of gastrointestinal diseases. Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in stools to the doctor immediately. Drink an adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration and to maintain electrolytes level. Your doctor may discontinue treatment with this medicine based on your clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes Insipidus
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from diabetes insipidus syndrome due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor. Drink an adequate amount of water to prevent irritation. It should not be taken with food especially dairy products like cheese, milk, yogurt, etc. Do not take it in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed/advised. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Report any severe undesired side effects to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by stopping the growth of bacteria by interrupting protein synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tetracyclines
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Demeclocycline Hydrochloride- demeclocycline hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Demeclocycline - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Demeclocycline: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 11 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Apr 2019
Disclaimer
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