Before taking demeclocycline

Before taking demeclocycline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If the patient is under 12 years of age.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition also called lupus or SLE).
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a condition causing tired and weak muscles).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take demeclocycline

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take demeclocycline exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Swallow the capsules whole (not crushed or chewed), with plenty of water. Do not take them at the same time as food or milk as these may make demeclocycline less effective. Take them one hour before or two hours after meals.
• To prevent these capsules from causing irritation in your throat, take them while you are sitting or standing up, and do not take them immediately before going to bed.
• Spread your doses out evenly during the day and try to take them at the same times each day. This is important in order to keep a steady level of demeclocycline in your body.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not take any indigestion remedies, iron or zinc supplements at the same time of day as demeclocycline as they can stop it from working.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It is important that you complete the full course of demeclocycline which you have been prescribed, unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor. If you stop taking this medicine too soon your infection is likely to return and could be more difficult to treat.
• If you are taking demeclocycline for low sodium levels, you must not stop taking demeclocycline without speaking with your doctor first.
• If you are using hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), the current advice (January 2011) is that additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Demeclocycline may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Do not use sunbeds, and avoid strong sunlight until you know how your skin reacts or use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can demeclocycline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• jaundice
• blurred vision
• a severe rash
• unusual bruising

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store demeclocycline

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Demeclocycline Hydrochloride 150 mg Capsules, Goldshield plc, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2010.
• British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.