Demeclocycline

Demeclocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, lung infections, intestinal infections, acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others. 

• Demeclocycline is available under various brand names: Declomycin

Common side effects of Demeclocycline include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
• darkened skin color.
• swollen tongue, trouble swallowing; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Serious side effects of Demeclocycline include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing, 
• swelling in the face or throat or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in the eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after the last dose).
• new or worsening cough, fever, and trouble breathing.
• painful swallowing, vomiting blood (avoid lying down right after taking demeclocycline).
• kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath.
• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, confusion or weakness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands, and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.
• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), tiredness, nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Rare side effects of Demeclocycline include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 150 mg
• 300 mg

Susceptible infections:

Adult dosage

• Usual dosage range: Oral: 150 mg 4 times daily or 300 mg twice daily.

Pediatric dosage

• Children above 8 years and Adolescents: 
• Oral: 6.6-13.2 mg/kg/day orally  divided twice or thrice daily. 
•  Maximum daily dose: 600 mg/day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Demeclocycline has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • acitretin
• Demeclocycline has serious interactions with at least 55 other drugs.
• Demeclocycline has moderate interactions with at least 29 other drugs.
• Demeclocycline has minor interactions with at least 23 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Demeclocycline similar antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline.
• liver or kidney disease.
• diabetes; or
• lupus.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Demeclocycline?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Demeclocycline?”

Cautions

• Using a demeclocycline during pregnancy may cause bone growth problems in the unborn baby or permanent tooth discoloration later in life.
• Children younger than 8 years old should use demeclocycline only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.
• If you are using demeclocycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.
• Demeclocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about other birth control options such as an injection, implant, skin patch, vaginal ring, condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.
• Children younger than 8 years old should use demeclocycline only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic. Demeclocycline can affect a child's growth or cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth.
• Avoid taking anti-diarrhea medicine without first asking your doctor. Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection.
• Demeclocycline could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
• Avoid taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives.
• Do not take with milk or other dairy products unless your doctor tells you to.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use if you are pregnant. Taking demeclocycline during the second or third trimester of pregnancy may cause bone growth problems in the unborn baby or permanent tooth discoloration later in life.
• Lactation
  • Demeclocycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not breastfeed while you are taking demeclocycline.