Vibramycin is a tetracycline antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.
Vibramycin is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, periodontitis (gum disease), and others.
How to use this product
Take Vibramycin with a full glass of water.
Vibramycin may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Milk and other dairy products should be avoided, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, as they may decrease the absorption of the medication. Instructions regarding Vibramycin use may vary by manufacturer.
Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking Vibramycin. These products may reduce the effectiveness of Vibramycin.
Take all of the Vibramycin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
It is important to take Vibramycin regularly to get the most benefit.
Throw away any unused Vibramycin when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any Vibramycin after the expiration date. Expired Vibramycin can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Vibramycin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
An allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Severe headache, vision changes, or confusion.
Liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take Vibramycin and talk to your doctor: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, swollen tongue or vaginal yeast infection.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Before taking Vibramycin, tell your doctor if you have other medical problems, especially liver disease. You may not be able to take Vibramycin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy.
Vibramycin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Vibramycin passes into breast milk and may affect development in a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Children younger than 8 years of age should not take Vibramycin.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Vibramycin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid). An antacid such as Tums, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, and
others. A product that contains bismuth subsalicylate such as Pepto-Bismol. Minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and
over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol). Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), didanosine (Videx), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). Sucralfate (Carafate). A barbiturate such as phenobarbital, mephobarbital (Mebaral),
secobarbital (Seconal), or pentobarbital (Nembutal). A penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others). Penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), dicloxacillin
(Dynapen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), oxacillin (Bactocill), and others; or methoxyflurane (an inhaled anesthetic gas used during surgery).
You may not be able to take Vibramycin or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Vibramycin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy while taking Vibramycin.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Vibramycin.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products.
