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ORACEA®
(Or-RAY-sha)
(doxycycline, USP) Capsules 40 mg

Read the Patient Information that comes with ORACEA (doxycycline) before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your treatment or your medical condition. If you have any questions about ORACEA (doxycycline) , ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

ORACEA (doxycycline) is a prescription medicine to treat only the pimples or bumps on the face caused by a condition called rosacea. ORACEA (doxycycline) did not lessen the facial redness caused by rosacea. ORACEA (doxycycline) has not been studied for the treatment of rosacea of the eyes or of small blood vessels of the skin. ORACEA (doxycycline) should not be given to infants and children 8 years or younger. It may cause stained teeth in infants and children. The yellow, gray, brown colored staining will not go away. ORACEA (doxycycline) should not be used for the treatment of infections. It is not known if ORACEA (doxycycline) is effective for use for longer than 16 weeks. It is not known if ORACEA (doxycycline) is safe for use longer than 9 months.

Who should not take ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

Do not take ORACEA (doxycycline) if you are allergic to any medicine known as a tetracycline, including doxycycline and minocycline. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I tell my doctor before taking ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

Tell your doctor about all your health conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you

• have had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or other medicines known as tetracyclines
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. ORACEA (doxycycline) may harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding. ORACEA (doxycycline) passes into your breast milk and may harm your baby.
• have kidney problems
• have liver problems
• have had surgery on your stomach
• have or had a yeast or fungus infection in your mouth or vagina.
• spend time in sunlight or artificial sunlight, such as a tanning booth or sunlamp. ORACEA (doxycycline) may cause you to get severe sunburns (photosensitivity).

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

ORACEA (doxycycline) and other medicines can affect each other causing serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take

• blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as warfarin or Coumadin®. Your doctor may need to change your anticoagulant dose.
• any medicine to treat pimples (acne) or psoriasis, such as isotretinoin or acetretin

ORACEA (doxycycline) may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how ORACEA (doxycycline) works. Especially tell your doctor if you take

• birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about other methods of birth control because birth control pills may not work as well when you are taking ORACEA (doxycycline) .
• proton pump inhibitors or antacid medicines containing calcium, magnesium or aluminum
• products containing iron or bismuth subsalicylate
• any medicine to treat an infection, such as penicillin
• any medicine to treat seizures, such as barbiturates, Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, Tegretol®, phenytoin or Dilantin®

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

• Take ORACEA (doxycycline) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose unless told to do so by your doctor. Taking more than the prescribed dose may increase your chance of having side effects.
• The usual dose of ORACEA (doxycycline) is one capsule in the morning on an empty stomach. You should take ORACEA (doxycycline) at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.
• Take ORACEA (doxycycline) with a full glass of water while sitting or standing. To prevent irritation to your throat, do not lay down right after taking ORACEA (doxycycline) .
• Do not take ORACEA (doxycycline) with or right after taking antacids or products that contain calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron. ORACEA (doxycycline) may not work as well.
• If you take too much ORACEA (doxycycline) , or overdose, stop taking ORACEA (doxycycline) and talk to your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of ORACEA (doxycycline) , skip that dose and take the next dose at your regular time.
• Do not take ORACEA (doxycycline) to treat infections caused by bacteria germs or viruses.
• Your doctor may do blood tests from time to time to check for side effects of ORACEA (doxycycline) .

What should I avoid while taking ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

• Do not spend time in sunlight or artificial sunlight, such as a tanning booth or sunlamp. You could get a severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight.
• You should not take ORACEA (doxycycline) if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• You should not take ORACEA (doxycycline) if you are a man or a woman trying to have a baby.

What are the possible side effects of ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

ORACEA (doxycycline) may cause serious side effects. Stop taking ORACEA (doxycycline) and talk to your doctor right away if you

• have any skin rash, redness, or unusual or severe sunburn
• have an allergic reaction, which may cause a skin rash, swelling, difficulty swallowing, or a feeling of tightness in your throat
• become pregnant
• have stomach cramps, high fever, and bloody diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis)
• have fever, rash, joint pain, and feel tired. These may be symptoms of a problem where your body is attacking itself (autoimmune syndrome).

ORACEA (doxycycline) may also cause

• darkening of your skin, scars, teeth, or gums
• severe headaches, dizziness, or double vision from high pressure in the fluid around the brain

Some common side effects of ORACEA (doxycycline) are soreness in the nose and throat, diarrhea, sinus infection, high blood pressure, and increase in aspartate aminotransferase in the blood.

These are not all the possible side effects of ORACEA (doxycycline) . For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor if you have a side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P. at 1-866-735-4137

How should I store ORACEA (doxycycline) ?

• Store ORACEA (doxycycline) at room temperature at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
• Keep ORACEA (doxycycline) in a tightly closed container.
• Keep ORACEA (doxycycline) inside container and out of light.
• Keep ORACEA (doxycycline) and all medicine out of the reach of children.

General Information about ORACEA (doxycycline)

Do not take ORACEA (doxycycline) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ORACEA (doxycycline) to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This leaflet gives the most important information about ORACEA (doxycycline) . For more information, talk with your doctor or health care provider. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for information that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in ORACEA?

Active ingredient: doxycycline

Inactive ingredients: hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol, Polysorbate 80, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and triethyl citrate.

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/11/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.