Demeclocycline capsules

About demeclocycline

Demeclocycline is an antibacterial medicine. This means that it stops infections caused by germs (bacteria). It is prescribed as a treatment for pneumonia, for infections resulting from some types of bites, for some sexually transmitted infections, and also for some rarer infections.

Demeclocycline is also prescribed for a condition called syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). This is a rare condition which leads to low levels of sodium in the blood.

Before taking demeclocycline

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking demeclocycline it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If so, you should not take demeclocycline.

• If you are under 12 years of age. Demeclocycline should not be given to children.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de su hígado, o si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de sus riñones.

• If you have an inflammatory condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus, or SLE), or if you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis. Demeclocycline can make these conditions worse.

• Si padece un raro trastorno sanguíneo hereditario llamado porfiria.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to take demeclocycline

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about demeclocycline, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take demeclocycline exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you have an infection you will be asked to take either one (150 mg) capsule every six hours, or two capsules every twelve hours. If you are being treated for low sodium levels, you could be asked to take up to eight capsules a day in divided doses. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what was said to you.

• Try to take your doses around the same times of day each day. This will help you remember to take them regularly. Space out your doses evenly throughout the day.

• Take the capsules when your stomach is empty. This means taking your doses one hour before you eat food, or waiting until two hours after you have eaten. It is also important that you do not drink milk within two hours (either before or after) of taking demeclocycline. This is because both food and milk can reduce the amount of medicine absorbed by your body, making it less effective in fighting infection.

• Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. Do not open or chew the capsules. Try to avoid taking demeclocycline just before lying down or at bedtime.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Intente tomar el número correcto de dosis cada día, pero no tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• If you are being treated for an infection, your course of treatment is likely to last for a week or so. It is important that you keep taking demeclocycline regularly until the course is finished (unless you are told to stop sooner by a doctor). If you are taking demeclocycline for low sodium levels, your treatment is likely to be long-term, so continue to take the capsules until you are advised otherwise.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with demeclocycline, as a number of 'over-the-counter' remedies can interfere with it. In particular, do not take indigestion remedies, or supplements containing iron, magnesium, or zinc at the same time as you take demeclocycline. This is because demeclocycline combines with these things, which makes it less effective. If you need to take an antacid or any of the supplements mentioned, make sure you leave at least two hours before or after taking demeclocycline before you have them.

• Algunas personas desarrollan aftas (enrojecimiento y picor en la boca o la vagina) después de tomar un antibiótico. Si le ocurre esto, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

• Demeclocycline can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor on bright days, even when it is cloudy.

• Este antibiótico puede impedir la acción de la vacuna oral contra la fiebre tifoidea. Si tiene que vacunarse, asegúrese de que la persona que le trata sabe que está tomando este medicamento.

Can demeclocycline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with demeclocycline. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: demeclocycline can occasionally cause allergic reactions, such as a skin rash. Speak with a doctor as soon as possible if this happens to you.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse al medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store demeclocycline

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos