Contents
General Drug Information and Indications
How to Give this Medication
Side Effects
Precautions
Drug Interactions
Overdose
Storage
Search for Available Dosage Forms
Doxycycline is broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against a wide variety of bacteria and other types of organisms. It is particularly useful for some of the more unusual types of infections including those carried by ticks. Doxycycline is available in an oral and an intravenous form. Oral doxycycline reaches high drug concentrations in most tissues in the body; even difficult to penetrate areas such as joints, the prostate, the central nervous system and the eyes. In addition to its use as an antibiotic, researchers are studying the use of low doses of doxycycline as an anti-inflammatory in both dogs and horses with osteoarthritis. Doxycycline may be used in animals with decreased kidney function because it is eliminated primarily via the digestive tract.
Like many other drugs in veterinary medicine, this drug is not FDA approved for use in animals and is not available from a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer. Instead, it is compounded by a specialty pharmacy.
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Contact my veterinarianGive this medication to your pet exactly as your veterinarian prescribes. If you miss giving your pet a dose of doxycycline, give the next dose as soon as you remember or, if it is close to the next scheduled dose, return to the regular schedule. Do not double dose to catch up.
Doxycycline is well absorbed after oral administration and its absorption is only slightly affected by the presence of food in the stomach. Many veterinarians recommend giving the doxycycline with food in order to decrease any stomach upset.
Cats are at increased risk to form scar tissue in their esophagus after “dry” pilling with doxycycline. If the doxycycline pill stays in contact with the inner lining of the esophagus, it can damage the lining and eventually cause a partial blockage. In order to minimize this problem, some veterinarians suggest dosing the cat with water after pilling or using a compounded liquid product to minimize esophageal damage.
Wash your hands after giving your pet this medication.
Be sure to discuss any side effects with your veterinarian immediately.
The most common side effect in dogs and cats is GI upset, including nausea and vomiting.
Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. Doxycycline is a prescription drug and should be used according to your veterinarian’s directions. It should only be given to the animal for which it was prescribed. Do not give this medication to a person.
Tetracycline antibiotics are generally avoided during pregnancy because of the risk of bone abnormalities and discoloration of teeth in the developing fetuses. Doxycycline may pose less risk than other antibiotics in the tetracycline family. You and your veterinarian will need to make a decision based on your pet’s medical needs.
Intravenous doxycycline is not used in the horse due to risk of fatal heart arrhythmia.
Be sure to review with your veterinarian any medications or supplements your pet may be receiving.
The following drugs may interfere with your pet’s ability to absorb oral doxycycline: oral antacids, such as Tums®; bismuth products, such as Pepto Bismol®; kaolin or pectin containing products such as Kaopectate®; and oral iron. If your pet is being given any of these products and doxycycline, the doses should be separated by 2-3 hours.
Doxycycline is usually not given with certain antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides.
Phenobarbital (an anti-seizure medication) can affect how your pet metabolizes doxycycline.
Doxycycline may change blood clotting activity. Pets receiving blood thinners such as warfarin may need additional monitoring and have their dose adjusted.
Oral overdose of doxycycline in most instances will cause pronounced GI distress.
If you suspect your pet or another animal was overdosed accidentally or has eaten this medication inadvertently, contact your veterinarian or the A.S.P.C.A.’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888.426.4435. Always bring the prescription container with you when you take your pet for treatment.
If you or someone else has accidentally ingested this medication call the National Capital Poison Center at 800.222.1222.
Looking for Doxycycline?
We can let your veterinarian know that you are
interested in our compounded Doxycycline.
Contact my veterinarianDifferent strengths or dosage forms of doxycycline may have different storage requirements. Read the labeling or ask your pharmacist for the storage requirements of the prescription you receive.
The information contained on this site is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the products shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.
Wedgewood Pharmacy compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.