4.1. Therapeutic indications

Doxycycline capsules has been found clinically effective in the treatment of a variety of infections caused by a wide range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as certain other micro-organisms.

Respiratory tract infections Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections due to susceptible strains of Streptococus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and other organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Treatment of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis.

Urinary tract infections caused by susceptible strains of Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis and other organisms.

Sexually transmitted diseases Infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis including uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections. Non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-mycoplasma). Doxycycline capsules is also indicated in chancroid, granuloma inguinale and lymphogranuloma venereum. Doxycycline capsules is an alternative drug in the treatment of gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Skin infections

Acne vulgaris, when antibiotic therapy is considered necessary.

Since Doxycycline is a member of the tetracycline series of antibiotics, it may be expected to be useful in the treatment of infections which respond to other tetracyclines, such as:

Ophthalmic infections

Due to susceptible strains of gonococci, staphylococci and Haemophilus influenzae. Trachoma, although the infectious agent, as judged by immunofluorescence, is not always eliminated. Inclusion conjunctivitis may be treated with oral Doxycycline capsules alone or in combination with topical agents.

Rickettsial infections

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus group, Q fever, Coxiella endocarditis and tick fevers.

Other infections

Psittacosis, brucellosis (in combination with streptomycin), cholera, bubonic plague, louse and tick-borne relapsing fever, tularaemia glanders, melioidosis, chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria and acute intestinal amoebiasis (as an adjunct to amoebicides).

Doxycycline capsules is an alternative drug in the treatment of leptospirosis, gas gangrene and tetanus.

Doxycycline capsules is indicated for prophylaxis in the following conditions: Scrub typhus, travellers' diarrhoea (enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli), leptospirosis and malaria.

Prophylaxis of malaria should be used in accordance to current guidelines, as resistance is an ever-changing problem.

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults and children aged 12 years to less than 18 years

The usual dosage of Doxycycline capsules for the treatment of acute infections in adults and children aged 12 years to less than 18 years is 200 mg on the first day (as a single dose or in divided doses) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day. In the management of more severe infections, 200 mg daily should be given throughout treatment.

Children aged 8 years to less than 12 years. (section 4.4)

The use of doxycycline for the treatment of acute infections in children aged 8 years to less than 12 years should be carefully justified in situations where other drugs are not available, are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.

In such circumstance, the doses for the treatment of acute infections are:

For children 45 kg or less- Initial dose: 4.4 mg/kg (in single or 2 divided doses) with maintenance dose: 2.2 mg/kg (in single or 2 divided doses). In the management of more severe infections, up to 4.4 mg/kg should be given throughout treatment.

For children, over 45 kg - Dose administered for adults should be used.

Children aged from birth to less than 8 years.

Doxycycline should not be used in children aged younger than 8 years due to the risk of teeth discolouration. (Section 4.4 and 4.8)

Dosage recommendations in specific infections:

Acne vulgaris 50 mg daily with food or fluid for 6 to 12 weeks.

Sexually transmitted diseases 100 mg twice daily for 7 days is recommended in the following infections: uncomplicated gonococcal infections (except anorectal infections in men); uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; non-gonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum. Acute epididymo-orchitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoea 100 mg twice daily for 10 days. Primary and secondary syphilis: Non-pregnant penicillin-allergic patients who have primary or secondary syphilis can be treated with the following regimen: doxycycline 200 mg orally twice daily for two weeks, as an alternative to penicillin therapy.

Louse and tick-borne relapsing fevers

A single dose of 100 mg or 200 mg depending on the severity of the infection.

Treatment of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria 200 mg daily for at least 7 days. Due to the potential severity of the infection, a rapid-acting schizonticide such as quinine should always be given in conjunction with doxycycline; quinine dosage recommendations vary in different areas.

Prophylaxis of malaria 100 mg daily in adults and children over the age of 12 years.Can begin 1-2 days before travel to malarial areas. It should be continued daily during travel in the malarial areas and for 4 weeks after the traveller leaves the malarial area. For current advice on geographical resistance patterns and appropriate chemoprophylaxis, current guidelines or the Malaria Reference Laboratory should be consulted, details of which can be found in the British National Formulary (BNF).

For the prevention of scrub typhus 200 mg as a single dose.

For the prevention of travellers' diarrhoea in adults 200 mg on the first day of travel (administered as a single dose or as 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by 100 mg daily throughout the stay in the area. Data on the use of the drug prophylactically are not available beyond 21 days.

For the prevention of leptospirosis 200 mg once each week throughout the stay in the area and 200 mg at the completion of the trip. Data on the use of the drug prophylactically are not available beyond 21 days.

Use in the elderly Doxycycline may be prescribed in the elderly in the usual dosages with no special precautions. No dosage adjustment is necessary in the presence of renal impairment.

Use in patients with impaired hepatic function See section 4.4.

Use in patients with renal impairment Studies to date have indicated that administration of doxycycline at the usual recommended doses does not lead to accumulation of the antibiotic in patients with renal impairment (see section 4.4.)

Rocky Mountain spotted fever Adults: 100 mg every 12 hours.

Children: weighing less than 45 kg: 2.2 mg/kg body weight given twice a day. Children weighing 45 kg or more should receive the adult dose (see section 4.4 paediatric population).

Patients should be treated for at least 3 days after the fever subsides and until there is evidence of clinical improvement.

Minimum course of treatment is 5-7 days.

Method of administration

Doxycycline capsules are for oral administration only.

Precautions to be taken before administering the medicinal product

The capsules should be swallowed with plenty of water in either the sitting or standing position and well before retiring at night to reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation and ulceration. If gastric irritation occurs, it is recommended that Doxycycline capsules be given with food or milk. Studies indicate that the absorption of doxycycline is not notably influenced by simultaneous ingestion of food or milk.

Exceeding the recommended dosage may result in an increased incidence of side effects. Therapy should be continued for at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms and fever have subsided.

When used in streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for 10 days to prevent the development of rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or other tetracyclines, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Pregnancy

Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy. It appears that the risks associated with the use of tetracyclines during pregnancy are predominantly due to effects on teeth and skeletal development. (See Section 4.4 regarding use during tooth development).

Nursing mothers

Tetracyclines are excreted into milk and are therefore contraindicated in nursing mothers. (See Section 4.4 regarding use during tooth development).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Paediatric population

The use of drugs of the tetracycline class during tooth development (last half of pregnancy; infancy and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discolouration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown). This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drugs but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Use doxycycline in paediatric patients aged younger than 8 years only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in severe or life-threatening conditions (e.g. Rocky Mountain spotted fever), only when there are no adequate alternative therapies.

Although the risk of permanent teeth staining is rare in children aged 8 years to less than 12 years, the use of doxycycline should be carefully justified in situations where other drugs are not available, are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.

Use in patients with impaired hepatic function

Doxycycline should be administered with caution to patients with hepatic impairment or those receiving potentially hepatotoxic drugs.

Abnormal hepatic function has been reported rarely and has been caused by both the oral and parenteral administration of tetracyclines, including doxycycline.

Use in patients with renal impairment

Excretion of doxycycline by the kidney is about 40%/72 hours in individuals with normal renal function. This percentage excretion may fall to a range as low as 1-5%/72 hours in individuals with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance below 10ml/min). Studies have shown no significant difference in the serum half-life of doxycycline in individuals with normal and severely impaired renal function. Haemodialysis does not alter the serum half-life of doxycycline (see section 4.9). The anti-anabolic action of the tetracyclines may cause an increase in blood urea. Studies to date indicate that this anti-anabolic effect does not occur with the use of Doxycycline in patients with impaired renal function.

Serious skin reactions

Serious skin reactions, such as exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in patients receiving doxycycline (see section 4.8). If serious skin reactions occur, doxycycline should be discontinued immediately, and appropriate therapy should be instituted.

Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines, including doxycycline (see section 4.8). Patients likely to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light should be advised that this reaction can occur with tetracycline drugs and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema.

Photoonycholysis has also been reported in patients receiving doxycycline (see section 4.8).

Benign intracranial hypertension

Bulging fontanelles in infants have been reported in individuals receiving tetracyclines. Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has been associated with the use of tetracyclines including doxycycline. Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) is usually transient, however cases of permanent visual loss secondary to benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) have been reported with tetracyclines including doxycycline. If visual disturbance occurs during treatment, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is warranted. Since intracranial pressure can remain elevated for weeks after drug cessation patients should be monitored until they stabilize. Concomitant use of isotretinoin or other systemic retinoids and doxycycline should be avoided because isotretinoin is also known to cause benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). (See section 4.5).

Microbiological overgrowth

The use of antibiotics may occasionally result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms including Candida. If a resistant organism appears, the antibiotic should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including doxycycline, and has ranged in severity from mild to life-threatening. It is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents.

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including doxycycline, and may range in severity from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.

C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.

Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhoea following antibiotic use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

Oesophagitis

Instances of oesophagitis and oesophageal ulcerations have been reported in patients receiving capsule and tablet forms of drugs in the tetracycline class, including doxycycline. Most of these patients took medications immediately before going to bed or with inadequate amounts of fluid.

Porphyria

There have been rare reports of porphyria in patients receiving tetracyclines.

Venereal disease

When treating venereal disease, where co-existent syphilis is suspected, proper diagnostic procedures including dark-field examinations should be utilised. In all such cases monthly serological tests should be made for at least four months.

Beta-haemolytic streptococci infections

Infections due to group A beta-haemolytic streptococci should be treated for at least 10 days.

Myasthenia gravis

Due to a potential for weak neuromuscular blockade, care should be taken in administering tetracyclines to patients with myasthenia gravis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Tetracyclines can cause exacerbation of SLE.

Methoxyflurane

Caution is advised in administering tetracyclines with methoxyflurane. See section 4.5.

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction

Some patients with spirochete infections may experience a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction shortly after doxycycline treatment is started. Patients should be reassured that this is a usually self-limiting consequence of antibiotic treatment of spirochete infections.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The absorption of doxycycline may be impaired by concurrently administered antacids containing aluminium, calcium, magnesium or other drugs containing these cations; oral zinc, iron salts or bismuth preparations. Dosages should be maximally separated.

Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving doxycycline in conjunction with penicillin.

There have been reports of prolonged prothrombin time in patients taking warfarin and doxycycline. Tetracyclines depress plasma prothrombin activity and reduced doses of concomitant anticoagulants may be necessary.

The serum half-life of doxycycline may be shortened when patients are concurrently receiving barbiturates, carbamazepine or phenytoin. An increase in the daily dosage of doxycycline should be considered.

Alcohol may decrease the half-life of doxycycline.

A few cases of pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding have been attributed to the concurrent use of tetracycline antibiotics with oral contraceptives.

Doxycycline may increase the plasma concentration of ciclosporin. Co-administration should only be undertaken with appropriate monitoring.

The concurrent use of tetracyclines and methoxyflurane has been reported to result in renal failure. See section 4.4.

Concomitant use of isotretinoin or other systemic retinoids and doxycycline should be avoided. Each of these agents used alone has been associated with benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). (See section 4.4).

Laboratory test interactions

False elevations of urinary catecholamine levels may occur due to interference with the fluorescence test.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Doxycycline is contra-indicated in pregnancy and lactation. See section 4.3.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

The effect of doxycycline on the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery has not been studied. There is no evidence to suggest that doxycycline may affect these abilities.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines, including doxycycline.

System Organ Class

Common

≥1/100 to <1/10

Uncommon

≥1/1000 to <1/100

Rare

≥1/10,000 to <1/1000

Not known

Cannot be estimated from the available data.

Infections and infestations

Vaginal infection

Candida Infection

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Haemolytic anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity (including anaphylactic shock, anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactoid reaction, angioedema, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, pericarditis, serum sickness, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, hypotension, dyspnoea, tachycardia, peripheral oedema and urticaria)

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), Jarisch-Herxheimer reactionb (see section 4.4)

Endocrine disorders

Brown-black microscopic discoloration of thyroid glands

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Porphyria, decreased appetite

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Anxiety, benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri)a, fontanelle bulging

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Tinnitus

Eye disorders

Visual disturbanced

Vascular disorders

Flushing

Gastrointestinal disorders

Nausea/vomiting

Dyspepsia (Heartburn/gastritis)

Pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis, Clostridium difficile colitis, oesophageal ulcer, oesophagitis, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions (with monilial overgrowth) in the anogenital region, dysphagia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, glossitis, stomatitis

Tooth discolouratione

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatic failure, hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, jaundice, hepatic function abnormal

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Photosensitivity reaction, rash including maculopapular and erythematous rashes

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, dermatitis exfoliative, fixed eruption, photoonycholysis, skin hyperpigmentationc

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Arthralgia, myalgia

Renal and urinary disorders

Blood urea increased

a In association with tetracyclines, including doxycycline, benign intracranial hypertension has been reported with possible symptoms of headache, vomiting, visual disturbances including blurred vision, scotoma, diplopia or permanent loss of vision. The manifestation of clinical symptoms, including headache or visual disturbances, should suggest a possible diagnosis of intracranial hypertension. If an increase in intracranial pressure is suspected during treatment with tetracyclines, administration should be discontinued.

b in the setting of spirochete infections treated with doxycycline.

c with chronic use of doxycycline.

d Associated with Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri).

e Reversible and superficial discolouration of permanent teeth has been reported with the use of doxycycline but frequency cannot be estimated from available data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Acute overdosage with antibiotics is rare. In the event of overdosage discontinue medication. Gastric lavage plus appropriate supportive treatment is indicated.

Dialysis does not alter serum half-life and thus would not be of benefit in treating cases of overdosage.