Doxycycline is an important antibiotic that deals with many infectious diseases. In particular, it’s great against bacteria (and parasites) that affect your digestive organs. Blood, lung, and skin infections can also be combatted with this medicine. Just know that it has quite a few side effects, like most antibiotics.
It was developed in the 60s, primarily as a growth supplement for animals. In a twist of fate, it was later outlawed for this use and given a safer purpose – curing people with infections. It proved to be uniquely suitable for this job, which made this drug incredibly popular in the last few decades.
It is an antibacterial solution that makes sure the little buggers that already entered your body won’t multiply. The remaining gunk is killed soon enough, but you don’t want to mix Doxycycline with other drugs because it may cause additional damage with little benefit. So, you need to take it for a longer time than usual for antibiotics and just wait.
Most types of bacteria that doxycycline is effective against are found either in blood or in your digestive tract. Lyme disease, cholera, good old plague, and typhus (and many more) are all killed by Doxycycline. You get these by either consuming contaminated food or having bugs bite you.
Doxycycline in Canada and abroad
Doxycycline is an important, widespread product that can be easily purchased online. The drug is sold under different brand names, like Vibramycin, Doxy, Doryx, Oracea, and a bunch more. However, it’s also often sold as a ‘generic’ product – the pure compound, usually in the form of doxycycline monohydrate or doxycycline hyclate. These two are very similar.
The prices can vary from brand to brand, from country to country. You can easily buy the product in Canada in its generic form, which would cost you $30 to $50. It is typically sold in capsules. If you take an average 20-capsule box of 100 mg, this is what it’ll cost you to buy these drugs on the internet from different places:
- In the US, such medicine could easily cost more than $100 ($120-130 on average);
- In the UK, you can easily buy this medicine for $10, but the prices vary widely;
- In Canada, the usual price is about $30, but it can climb to $50;
- In Turkey, an important manufacturer, the capsules are often sold for $40.
Buying generic variations is a sure way to save money without compromising on quality. In fact, most such products in Canada are generic. They are just as effective and safe as brand-made alternatives from the US or elsewhere. Also, discounts and special offers are often extended for Doxycycline purchases.
In short, there are many Doxy varieties out there, and you might want to ask your doctor for specifics. Some forms of this drug may be more or less effective for your specific condition. At the very least, they are almost always taken orally, which simplifies your choice a little bit.
How does it work?
Most illnesses that doxycycline is prescribed for are caused by bacteria that crawl their way into your stomach or get carried into your blood through a lice/tick bite. Just be ready for possible nasty side effects.
This drug is a tetracycline, a sort of antibiotic that makes it almost impossible for specific bacteria to spread. Of course, it includes many other bacteria that have nothing to do with you feeling sick, but are rather beneficial for your body. That’s why you might feel awful while taking Doxycycline.
The usual course is a lot longer than a typical one for antibiotics. Typically, you need to take them for 1 or 2 weeks. Doxycycline, on the other hand, needs 2 months. So, the best course of action would be not contacting any diseases that need such a strong drug. But if it’s too late now, this medication might be your best choice.
Besides the blood and stomach infections, they also deal with a variety of other infections as well as malaria. In fact, Doxy is lighter than some other medicine that deals with these problems. It’s still uncomfortable, but if you have a strong enough digestive tract, it can work out better for you.
Doses of Doxycycline Generic
There are many different package sizes of Doxycycline. The most common quantities accommodate about 100 capsules, while other typical products have 20-40 of these. They vary a lot, even to the point of the last digits. Quantities of 84, 48, 24, 36, and others are typical
In terms of dosage, it’s a lot simpler. There are either pills of 50 or 100 mg. They are sold as tablets or capsules. Depending on your personal daily intake, you might want to consider your options. Some are easier to manage, while others are more financially beneficial. Your doctor can even advise you on a specific Doxycycline variety.
Usually, you need to take at least 50 mg at a time, two times a day. Thus, 100 mg capsules are only valid if you take larger doses. For a minimal dose of 50 mg, you either need 100 mg tablets that can be halved or 50 mg capsules/tablets. There is a lot of shopping potential here!
How to take Doxycycline Generic
The usual daily dose varies from 100 to 200 mg every day. However, this dosage varies depending on your personal well-being, the disease, and generally what your doctor tells you. Once you’re prescribed a specific schedule, you ought to stick to it strictly.
Usually, these pills are taken twice a day, 12 hours apart. So, you’ll probably need to take it after waking up and before going to bed. What’s more, you can’t take it during, before, or immediately after eating. There needs to be at least a 1-hour pause before or after meals. Specific food (ask at the doctor’s appointment) can require even more time.
The full course can last up to 60 days, but, once more, it’s your doctor’s decision. The curious thing is, even a shortened Doxycycline course is a lot longer than most antibiotic courses out there. So, you really need to stick till the end. Don’t worry, though, it’s not that bad.
Warnings / Cautions / Side effects
A wide variety of side effects related to Doxycycline include the widespread death of healthy stuff in your body, such as good bacteria and leukocytes. Fortunately, some of them try to kill you, so it is nice to get rid of them. Unfortunately, many make sure your system works fine. That includes thousands of bacteria types in your stomach & intestines.
This can cause a lot of uncomfortable issues, like nausea, stomachache, weight loss, diarrhea, different inflammations & more. Liver failure is a definite no-no as doxycycline can be fatal for such patients. A wide array of possible digestive diseases, like Crohn’s, has a larger possibility of developing in people who took Doxy.
A less substantial list of blood problems is also associated with taking Doxycycline. In general, leukocytes, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes alike aren’t very compatible with this antibiotic. So, consider tweaking your diet to help replenish the quantity and quality of your little blood cell friends.
On another note, this drug is not advised during pregnancy and for children. The main concern is that it will damage the teeth, bones, and other tissue in the developing body of a child. Different skin conditions, as well as individual allergies, could also restrict your Doxycycline intake.
This is all fine and dandy, but do ask your doctor and your pharmacist about these things because you’ll need to stick with this drug for a long time.