In this Article

• What is demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• What are the possible side effects of demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• How should I take demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Declomycin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Declomycin)?
• What should I avoid while taking demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• What other drugs will affect demeclocycline (Declomycin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking demeclocycline (Declomycin)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to demeclocycline or to similar antibiotics such as doxycycline (Adoxa, Alodox, Avidoxy, Oraxyl, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), or tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

To make sure you can safely take demeclocycline, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• diabetes.

If you are being treated for gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use demeclocycline if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Demeclocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking demeclocycline.

Demeclocycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking demeclocycline.

Do not give demeclocycline to a child younger than 8 years old. Demeclocycline can affect a child's growth or cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth.

How should I take demeclocycline (Declomycin)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take demeclocycline on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Demeclocycline is usually given for up to 2 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Demeclocycline will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

If you take this medication long-term, your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused demeclocycline after the expiration date on the label has passed.