Declomycin is used for:
Treating certain bacterial infections. It may be used in combination with other medicines to treat amoeba infections in the intestines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Declomycin is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms (eg, white blood cells) to destroy the bacteria.
Do NOT use Declomycin if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Declomycin or another tetracycline (eg, minocycline)
• you are taking acitretin, isotretinoin, or a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Declomycin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Declomycin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney or liver problems or diabetes
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Declomycin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Acitretin, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, isotretinoin, methotrexate, or methoxyflurane because the risk of their side effects and toxic effects may be increased by Declomycin
• Penicillins (eg, amoxicillin) or hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Declomycin
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Declomycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Declomycin :
Use Declomycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• Take Declomycin on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Do not take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; bismuth-containing products; iron; urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate); zinc; or multivitamins with minerals within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Declomycin .
• To clear up your infection completely, take Declomycin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• Drink plenty of fluids with Declomycin to wash it down and avoid the risk of throat irritation.
• To help prevent throat irritation, do not lie down immediately after taking Declomycin .
• Do not use Declomycin if it is outdated or has been stored incorrectly.
• If you miss a dose of Declomycin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Declomycin .
Important safety information:
• Declomycin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Declomycin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Be sure to use Declomycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Declomycin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Declomycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Declomycin . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea, (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Declomycin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Declomycin . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Do not use Declomycin for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Declomycin may interfere with certain lab test results. Be sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are using Declomycin .
• Diabetes patients - Declomycin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Declomycin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Declomycin with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.
• Declomycin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 8 years of age because permanent tooth discoloration (yellow-gray-brown) may occur.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Declomycin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Declomycin during pregnancy. Declomycin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Declomycin .
Possible side effects of Declomycin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; throat irritation; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; blurred vision; dark urine; decreased or increased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased thirst; muscle weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe diarrhea; severe or persistent headache; severe or persistent throat irritation; severe skin reaction to the sun; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; vision changes; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.