Demeclocycline capsules
Revisione paritaria di Sid DajaniUltimo aggiornamento di Michael Stewart, MRPharmSUltimo aggiornamento 21 Nov 2022
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Demeclocycline is an antibiotic. Space out your doses during the day and make sure you continue to take the capsules until you finish the course prescribed.
The absorption of demeclocycline is adversely affected by food and dairy products. It is important that you take the capsules either one hour before a meal, or wait until two hours afterwards. Do not drink milk during the two hours before you take the capsules, or for two hours afterwards.
At a glance
Demeclocycline is an antibiotic used for various bacterial infections.
It is also prescribed for a rare condition called SIADH, which causes low sodium levels.
Do not take demeclocycline if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 12 years old.
Take capsules on an empty stomach, an hour before food or two hours after eating.
Avoid milk for two hours before or after taking your dose to ensure it works properly.
Demeclocycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Always finish the prescribed course of treatment, even if you feel better.
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About demeclocycline
Tipo di medicinale | Un antibiotico tetraciclinico |
Utilizzato per | Bacterial infections; Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) |
Disponibile come | Capsules, tablets |
Demeclocycline is an antibacterial medicine. This means that it stops infections caused by germs (bacteria). It is prescribed as a treatment for polmonite, for infections resulting from some types of bites, for some infezioni sessualmente trasmissibili, and also for some rarer infections.
Demeclocycline is also prescribed for a condition called syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). This is a rare condition which leads to low levels of sodium in the blood.
Before taking demeclocycline
Torna ai contenutiSome medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking demeclocycline it is important that your doctor knows:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If so, you should fare affidamento take demeclocycline.
If you are under 12 years of age. Demeclocycline should fare affidamento be given to children.
Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato, o se hai problemi con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.
If you have an inflammatory condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus, or SLE), or if you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis. Demeclocycline can make these conditions worse.
Se hai un raro disturbo ereditario del sangue chiamato porfiria.
Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.
Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.
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How to take demeclocycline
Torna ai contenutiBefore you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about demeclocycline, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.
Take demeclocycline exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you have an infection you will be asked to take either one (150 mg) capsule every six hours, or two capsules every twelve hours. If you are being treated for low sodium levels, you could be asked to take up to eight capsules a day in divided doses. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what was said to you.
Try to take your doses around the same times of day each day. This will help you remember to take them regularly. Space out your doses evenly throughout the day.
Take the capsules when your stomach is empty. This means taking your doses one hour before you eat food, or waiting until two hours after you have eaten. It is also important that you do not drink milk within two hours (either before or after) of taking demeclocycline. This is because both food and milk can reduce the amount of medicine absorbed by your body, making it less effective in fighting infection.
Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. Do fare affidamento open or chew the capsules. Try to avoid taking demeclocycline just before lying down or at bedtime.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento
Torna ai contenutiIf you are being treated for an infection, your course of treatment is likely to last for a week or so. It is important that you keep taking demeclocycline regularly until the course is finished (unless you are told to stop sooner by a doctor). If you are taking demeclocycline for low sodium levels, your treatment is likely to be long-term, so continue to take the capsules until you are advised otherwise.
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with demeclocycline, as a number of 'over-the-counter' remedies can interfere with it. In particular, do not take indigestion remedies, or supplements containing iron, magnesium, or zinc at the same time as you take demeclocycline. This is because demeclocycline combines with these things, which makes it less effective. If you need to take an antacid or any of the supplements mentioned, make sure you leave at least two hours before or after taking demeclocycline before you have them.
Some people develop thrush (redness and itchiness in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of an antibiotic. If this happens to you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Demeclocycline can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor on bright days, even when it is cloudy.
Questo antibiotico può impedire al vaccino orale contro il tifo di funzionare. Se devi ricevere delle vaccinazioni, assicurati che la persona che ti sta curando sappia che stai assumendo questo medicinale.
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Can demeclocycline cause problems?
Torna ai contenutiAlong with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with demeclocycline. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Demeclocycline side-effects | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Stomach upset, tummy (abdominal) pain | Attieniti a cibi semplici - evita pasti grassi o piccanti |
Diarrea | Bevi molta acqua per reintegrare i liquidi persi. Se questo continua o è grave, consulta un medico |
Mal di testa | Bevi molta acqua e chiedi al farmacista di consigliare un antidolorifico adatto. Se i mal di testa persistono, informa il tuo medico |
Feeling dizzy, blurred vision | Non guidare e non utilizzare strumenti o macchinari mentre sei sotto effetto. Se persiste, parla con il tuo medico |
Importante: demeclocycline can occasionally cause allergic reactions, such as a skin rash. Speak with a doctor as soon as possible if this happens to you.
Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti al medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.
How to store demeclocycline
Torna ai contenutiTenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.
Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.
Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Torna ai contenutiInformazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Non assumere mai più della dose prescritta. Se sospetti che tu o qualcun altro possa aver assunto un sovradosaggio di questo medicinale, recati al pronto soccorso del tuo ospedale locale. Porta con te il contenitore, anche se è vuoto.
Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentistico, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.
Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.
Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.
Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.
Segnala effetti collaterali di un medicinale o vaccino
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Domande frequenti
Can I take demeclocycline if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, demeclocycline should not be taken.
Why is it important to take demeclocycline on an empty stomach and avoid milk?
Both food and milk can reduce the amount of demeclocycline absorbed by your body, making the medicine less effective. You should take your doses one hour before eating or two hours after eating, and avoid drinking milk within two hours (either before or after) of taking it.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of demeclocycline?
If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Can demeclocycline make my skin more sensitive to the sun?
Yes, demeclocycline can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. It is recommended to avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor on bright days, even if it's cloudy.
Can I take other remedies for indigestion or supplements while on demeclocycline?
You should check with a pharmacist if any 'over-the-counter' remedies are suitable to take with demeclocycline, as many can interfere with it. Specifically, indigestion remedies or supplements containing iron, magnesium, or zinc should not be taken at the same time as demeclocycline. If you need to take them, ensure there's at least a two-hour gap before or after taking demeclocycline.
Can demeclocycline affect vaccinations?
Yes, this antibiotic can stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are scheduled to have any vaccinations, you must inform the person treating you that you are taking demeclocycline.
Ulteriori letture e riferimenti
- Manufacturer's PIL, Demeclocycline Hydrochloride 150 mg Capsules; ADVANZ Pharma, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2018.
- Medicinali Completi BNF 89ª Edizione; Associazione Medica Britannica e Società Farmaceutica Reale di Gran Bretagna, Londra.
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About the authorView full bio

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Medicine Leaflet Review Manager – Contractor, Pharmacist
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael is a community pharmacist practicing in the Midlands and South Yorkshire with more than 20 years’ experience advising on medicines and medical conditions. He has a strong background in healthcare training, having produced and delivered training courses for pharmacy teams and staff of residential care settings, including nurses. He has also contributed to pharmacy advisory boards for the management of low acuity conditions in the community.
About the reviewer

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani qualified at the London School of Pharmacy in 1994 and became the youngest elected member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society council since its founding in 1842.
Storia dell'articolo
Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.
Prossima revisione prevista: 20 maggio 2027
21 Nov 2022 | Ultima versione

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