Apprilon

The recommended adult dose of Apprilon is 40 mg taken once daily, in the morning. It should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after a meal. To reduce irritation to the esophagus (the tube leading to the stomach), swallow the capsule with plenty of fluid.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Apprilon be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Apprilon at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Apprilon should be stored in its original package to protect it from light.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause diarrhea; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause stomach ache; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

40 mg
Each beige, opaque, hard gelatin capsule, imprinted with "GLD 40" contains two types of beads that together provide a dose of 40 mg of doxycycline (as doxycycline monohydrate). Nonmedicinal ingredients: hypromellose, methacrylic acid copolymer, opadry beige, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate.

Do not take doxycycline if you:

• are allergic to doxycycline or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to other Tetracycline antibiotics
• are a woman in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
• are breastfeeding
• have Myasthenia Gravis

There may be an interaction between doxycycline and any of the following:

• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• Aripiprazole
• Aspirin
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital Phenobarbital)
• BCG
• birth control pills
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• calcium supplements
• Carbamazepine
• Cholestyramine
• Colestipol
• iron supplements
• magnesium supplements
• Methotrexate
• multivitamins/minerals with vitamins A, D and E

• pancuronium
• penicillin antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, cloxacillin, penicillin)
• Phenytoin
• Pimozide
• Porfimer
• Quinapril
• retinoic acid derivatives (e.g., Alitretinoin, Isotretinoin, tretinoin)
• rifampin
• rocuronium
• sodium picosulfate
• Sucralfate
• typhoid vaccine
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Apprilon. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apprilon.

Birth control: Some antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Ask your doctor if you should be using more than one method of birth control while you are taking Apprilon.

High blood pressure in the brain: Doxycycline may increase the risk of high blood pressure in the brain. This may appear as a bulging soft spot on the head of infants. Contact your doctor right away if you experience blurred vision, double vision, and headache.

Esophagus problems: People taking doxycycline have experienced ulcers and injury to their esophagus. To help prevent this, take doxycycline with a full glass of water while standing or sitting upright. Do not lie down for at least 1 to 2 hours after taking the medication.

Immune system problems: Rarely, people taking medications in the same family as doxycycline may develop symptoms similar to the symptoms of Lupus (rash on the cheeks or other body areas; sun sensitivity; joint or muscle pain; fatigue; chest pain; shortness of breath; or swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs). Contact your doctor if you develop these symptoms.

Liver function: People with liver disease may have a higher risk of side effects from Apprilon. If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Apprilon may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apprilon, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Myasthenia gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes specific muscle weakness. Doxycycline may make the symptoms of this illness worse. People with myasthenia gravis should discuss with their doctor how Apprilon may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apprilon, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Other infections: Treatment with any tetracycline may allow normal fungus or types of bacteria not killed by the antibiotic to overgrow, causing unwanted infections such as yeast infections, which may cause vaginal itching and irritation. Women may prevent yeast infections by eating yogurt daily while taking this antibiotic. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns

Stomach problems: People taking Apprilon may develop diarrhea caused by an infection with the bacteria C. difficile. If you have loose, watery, and bloody bowel movements, with or without fever or stomach cramps after taking doxycycline, get medical attention as soon as possible. Diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection can lead to serious health problems if it is not properly treated.

Sunburn: An exaggerated sunburn reaction may occur for some people taking tetracyclines, including doxycycline. Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight, including sunlamps and tanning beds, and use sunblock with minimum SPF 15. Stop taking doxycycline at the first sign of skin redness.

Pregnancy: Like other tetracycline antibiotics, doxycycline may cause harm to the developing baby if Apprilon is taken during pregnancy. Apprilon should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Apprilon, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Apprilon passes into breast milk and causes discolouration of the teeth and reduced bone growth in a breast-feeding infant if it is taken by the mother while still breast-feeding. Due to the adverse effects on the developing infant, Apprilon should not be used by women who are breast-feeding.

Children: The use of doxycycline during tooth development (from the last trimester of pregnancy to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown). Though more commonly associated with long-term use of tetracyclines, this effect has also been known to occur after taking the medication for a short time.

The safety and effectiveness of using Apprilon have not been established for children under 8 years of age.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Because it may cause esophageal irritation, this product must be swallowed with a large glass of water. Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking it. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. The capsule of this medication should not be opened, crushed or chewed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication should not be taken with food. It is best taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Consuming alcohol may modify the effect of this product. Limit alcohol consumption during treatment. To ensure effectiveness, avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours (before or after) of this medication. Also avoid mineral supplements (calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc).