If you have any questions about your medication, ask your doctor or a pharmacist. If you are told to take half of a pill, use a pill cutter to slice the pill down the line in the middle. You can also break it with your thumb and index finger. Avoid splitting, chewing, or crushing delayed-release tablets. If you are taking the brand Oracea, keep in mind that you cannot eat for 1-2 hours before taking the pill. With other brands, you may be able to eat. If you are using doxycycline to prevent malaria, you may need to start taking it 1-2 days before you leave for the region where malaria is prevalent.
If you need help swallowing the pill, try taking a sip of water with it. You can also put the pill in soft food like applesauce or yogurt. Swallow it without chewing. This may reduce how much medicine your body absorbs, however.
Drinking the full glass of water can help the pill work properly and help you avoid throat irritation.
This is also true if you’re trying to prevent malaria. Generally, you’ll need to take the medication for 4 weeks after returning.
The dose is determined by the strength of the medicine, the health issue in question, and body weight. Because of this, there’s not a standard dose. The number of daily doses and the time between doses depends on the medical problem you’re having. If you have questions about taking a missed dose, contact your prescribing doctor for instructions. [6] X Research source
Be sure to check the label for frequency of your doses. If you don’t have a dosing cup or spoon, get one at a pharmacy. If you have any questions about your dose or doxycycline, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This is also true if you’re trying to prevent infection rather than treat it.
Diarrhea can occur up to 2 months after you stop taking doxycycline. See your doctor as soon as possible. Don’t take any diarrhea medications, as some can interact with doxycycline and make your diarrhea worse. Headache, dizziness, and blurred vision may be signs of intracranial hypertension, which is high pressure around your brain and spine. Women who are of childbearing age or overweight are at increased risk of this.
If you take the pill in this way, you may not get as much of the medication as you need. Always talk to your doctor first to make sure that this is the right option for you.
Even if your health problem isn’t included in this list, it’s still a good idea to make your doctor aware of it.
Warfarin Antacids Medications containing bismuth like Pepto-Bismol Epilepsy medications Iron, calcium, zinc, or magnesium supplements
Be sure to store liquid medication at room temperature. If children or pets swallow the medication, call Poison Control or your vet right away.
