Drug Notes

Demeclocycline (By mouth)

Demeclocycline (dem-e-kloe-SYE-kleen)

Treats infections caused by certain microorganisms.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take your medicine one hour before you eat, or two hours after you eat.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using an anticoagulant medicine, such as warfarin (Coumadin®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using penicillin or penicillin-based medicine, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil®), amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augumentin®), Trimox®, or Veetids®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium. Examples of these medicines include aluminum carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, milk of magnesia, Basalgel®, Gaviscon®, Maalox®, Pepcid®, Pepto-Bismol®, Rolaids®, or Tums®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have kidney problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of diabetes insipidus (water diabetes), or if your skin or eyes are overly sensitive to sunlight. Make sure your doctor knows if you have syphilis.
• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Birth control pills may not work while you are using this medicine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
• You could get a serious sunburn while using this medicine. Carefully follow all instructions from your doctor.
• Stay out of the sunlight while you are taking this medicine. This includes avoiding sunlight that comes in through a window. Also be aware that even when the sky is cloudy, the UV light can still reach your skin. If you must be in the sun, wear clothing that covers all of your skin. This includes sunglasses, a hat, and gloves. You can also apply sunscreen that has a SPF (sun protection factor) of greater than 15.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Your doctor may need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision.
• Chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Feeling unusually tired or weak, or unusually thirsty.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Headache.
• Increase in how much or how often you urinate.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that may contain blood.
• Pain, redness, or swelling of your tongue.
• Ringing in your ears.
• Skin rash or redness.
• Sores near your anus.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017