Longamycin

Description

About Longamycin Capsule (Doxycycline)

Longamycin Capsule, containing doxycycline, is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It works by stopping bacteria from producing the proteins they need to grow, effectively halting the infection.

What Longamycin Capsule Treats

Longamycin Capsule is prescribed for various conditions, including:

• Acne and Rosacea: For inflammatory skin conditions.
• Bacterial Infections: A broad range of susceptible bacterial infections.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
  • Uncomplicated gonorrhea (cervical, urethral, and rectal infections)
  • Chlamydia infections (uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal)
  • Non-gonococcal urethritis (caused by C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum)
  • Syphilis (for patients allergic to penicillin)
  • Acute epididymo-orchitis (caused by N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis)
• Rickettsial Infections: Such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, Q fever, rickettsial pox, and tick fevers.
• Malaria: For short-term prevention (prophylaxis) of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in travelers to high-risk areas.
• Other Infections:
  • Intestinal Amebiasis (as an add-on therapy)
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Brucellosis (in combination with other antibiotics)
  • Cholera (as an adjunct to fluid and electrolyte replacement)
  • Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis
  • Anthrax (post-exposure prophylaxis)
  • Infective Endocarditis (specifically for suspected or confirmed Bartonella infections)

Dosing Information

Always take Longamycin Capsule with a full glass of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent irritation. If stomach upset occurs, you can take it with food or milk.

Adult Dosing

• General Susceptible Infections:
  • Day 1: 200 mg (taken as a single dose or divided doses).
  • Subsequent Days: 100 mg once daily.
  • Severe Infections: The initial 200 mg dose may be continued throughout treatment.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases:
  • Uncomplicated Gonococcal/Chlamydial Infections (Cervix, Urethra, Rectum) & Non-gonococcal Urethritis: 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 7 days.
  • Early Syphilis (Penicillin Allergic): 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 2 weeks.
  • Syphilis (>1 Year Duration, Penicillin Allergic): 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 4 weeks.
  • Acute Epididymo-orchitis: 100 mg by mouth twice a day for at least 10 days.
• Acne, Rosacea: 50 mg daily for 6-12 weeks.
• Malaria Prophylaxis: 100 mg by mouth once daily. Start 1-2 days before travel, continue daily during travel, and for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-infested area.
• Intestinal Amebiasis, Respiratory Tract Infections: 100 mg by mouth every 12 hours on Day 1, then 100 mg by mouth once daily.
• Rickettsial Infections: 100 mg by mouth every 12 hours on Day 1, then 100 mg by mouth once daily.
• Brucellosis: 100 mg by mouth twice daily for 6 weeks, combined with rifampin or streptomycin.
• Cholera: 300 mg by mouth once (as an adjunct to fluid and electrolyte replacement).
• Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis: 200 mg once daily or divided into two doses per day for 5-7 days.
• Anthrax (Post-exposure prophylaxis): 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 60 days.
• Infective Endocarditis (Bartonella Infection):
  • Suspected (Negative Culture): 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 6 weeks, combined with gentamicin and ceftriaxone.
  • Positive Culture: 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 6 weeks, combined with gentamicin or rifampin.

Child Dosing

• For children over 8 years old and weighing less than 45 kg: 2–4 mg/kg/day, taken every 12 hours.

Renal Dosing

• No specific dose adjustment is needed for patients with kidney problems.

Important Considerations

Do Not Take If You Have:

• Hypersensitivity: An allergy to doxycycline or any other tetracycline antibiotic.
• Severe Liver Disorder: Significant liver problems.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An autoimmune disease.
• Concomitant Intake: Avoid taking with alkalis, antacids, or iron, as they can reduce doxycycline absorption.
• Pregnancy: Doxycycline is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor determines it’s absolutely essential for your health.
• Breastfeeding: Doxycycline can pass into breast milk and is not recommended during lactation.

Precautions:

• Tooth Discoloration: Using tetracycline drugs, including doxycycline, during tooth development (the last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood up to 12 years of age) can cause permanent tooth discoloration. Therefore, it should be avoided in this age group unless other treatments are ineffective or contraindicated.
• Sun Sensitivity: Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn. Use sun protection when outdoors.

Potential Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, as some can interact with doxycycline:

• Isotretinoin: Concomitant use may lead to a condition called pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure around the brain).
• Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin): Doxycycline can prolong prothrombin time, increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Penicillin: Doxycycline may interfere with the action of penicillin.
• Antacids (containing Aluminum, Calcium, or Magnesium), Oral Zinc, Iron Salts, Bismuth Preparations: These can impair the absorption of doxycycline.
• Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Primidone, Phenytoin: These medications can increase doxycycline metabolism, reducing its effectiveness.
• Oral Contraceptives: There’s a risk of breakthrough bleeding when used with oral contraceptives.
• Ciclosporin: Doxycycline can increase the blood concentration of ciclosporin.
• Hepatic Enzyme Inducers (e.g., Rifampicin): These can decrease the half-life of doxycycline.
• Methoxyflurane: Concurrent use can lead to fatal kidney toxicity. This combination should be strictly avoided.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Longamycin Capsule can cause side effects. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Common Side Effects:

• Abdominal pain, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Esophageal ulceration
• Discoloration of teeth (especially in children under 12)
• Headache
• Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight, leading to easy sunburn)
• Rashes
• Vaginitis

Less Common or Serious Side Effects:

• Hypotension (low blood pressure), pericarditis (inflammation around the heart), angioneurotic edema (swelling under the skin), shortness of breath, serum sickness, peripheral edema, tachycardia (fast heart rate), hives
• Blood disorders: Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), neutropenia (low white blood cell count), porphyria, eosinophilia
• Brown-black microscopic discoloration of thyroid tissue
• Bulging fontanelles in infants and benign intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the skull) in adults, blurring of vision, blind spots, double vision, ringing in the ears
• Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), anorexia (loss of appetite), indigestion
• Transient increases in liver function tests (LFT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), jaundice, pancreatitis
• Exfoliative dermatitis (severe skin inflammation), photo-onycholysis (nail separation due to light sensitivity)
• Arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain)

Potentially Fatal Side Effects (Seek immediate medical attention):

• Anaphylactoid reactions (severe allergic reactions)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (severe skin reactions)
• Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) (severe diarrhea)
• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage)

How it Works

Doxycycline inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. This action stops the bacteria from making essential proteins, which in turn prevents them from growing and multiplying. It has a bacteriostatic effect, meaning it inhibits bacterial growth rather than directly killing them, against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Disclaimer: This information about Longamycin Capsule is for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.