Demeclocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, lung infections, intestinal infections, acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others.

Demeclocycline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Using demeclocycline during pregnancy may cause bone growth problems in the unborn baby, or permanent tooth discoloration later in life.

Children younger than 8 years old should use demeclocycline only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Demeclocycline will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

Demeclocycline is usually given for up to 2 days after symptoms and fever have cleared.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Usual Adult Dose for SIADH:

(Not approved by FDA)

Initial dose: 600 to 1200 mg/day orally in 3 or 4 divided doses
Maintenance dose: 600 to 900 mg/day orally or the lowest effective dosage to prevent hyponatremia

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection:

150 mg orally 4 times a day or 300 mg orally twice a day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection:

Above 8 years of age: 7 to 13 mg/kg/day orally divided in 2 to 4 doses
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day

You should not use demeclocycline if you are allergic to demeclocycline or similar antibiotics such as doxycycline, minocycline, or tetracycline.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• diabetes; or

• lupus.

If you are using demeclocycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Taking demeclocycline during the second or third trimester of pregnancy may cause bone growth problems in the unborn baby, or permanent tooth discoloration later in life.

Demeclocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about other birth control options such as an injection, implant, skin patch, vaginal ring, condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

Demeclocycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not breastfeed while you are taking doxycycline.

Children younger than 8 years old should use demeclocycline only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic. Demeclocycline can affect a child's growth or cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Avoid taking anti-diarrhea medicine without first asking your doctor. Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection.

Demeclocycline could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives.

Do not take with milk or other dairy products unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Demeclocycline may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• new or worsening cough, fever, trouble breathing;

• painful swallowing, vomiting blood (avoid lying down right after taking demeclocycline);

• kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, confusion or weakness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or

• signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), tiredness, nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of demeclocycline may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• darkened skin color;

• swollen tongue, trouble swallowing; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

Other drugs may affect demeclocycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to demeclocycline.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking demeclocycline.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the demeclocycline, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.