Acticlate Uses, Side Effects & Warnings Skip to main content

Acticlate

Generic name: doxycycline [ DOX-i-SYE-kleen ]
Brand names: Acticlate, Adoxa, Alodox, Avidoxy, Doryx, ... show all 12 brands
Drug class: Tetracyclines

What is Acticlate?

Acticlate is a tetracycline antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Acticlate is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as acne, urinary tract infections, intestinal infections, eye infections, gonorrhea, chlamydia, periodontitis (gum disease), and others.

Acticlate is also used to treat blemishes, bumps, and acne-like lesions caused by rosacea. This medicine will not treat facial redness caused by rosacea.

Some forms of doxycycline are used to prevent malaria, to treat anthrax, or to treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.

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

Important Information

You should not take Acticlate if you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.

Children younger than 8 years old should use Acticlate only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children

Using Acticlate during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to Acticlate or other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or tigecycline.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

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

Taking this medicine during pregnancy may affect tooth and bone development in the unborn baby. Taking Acticlate during the last half of pregnancy can cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.

Acticlate can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

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

Acticlate can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old. Children should use this medicine only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions such as anthrax or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The benefit of treating a serious condition may outweigh any risks to the child's tooth development.

How should I take Acticlate?

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

Take Acticlate with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Most brands of doxycyline may be taken with food or milk if the medicine upsets your stomach.

Different brands of doxycycline may have different instructions about taking them with or without food.

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

You may need to split a Acticlate tablet to get the correct dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Swallow a delayed-release capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you take Acticlate to prevent malaria: Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave the area.

Use Acticlate for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Acticlate will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed. Using expired Acticlate can cause damage to your kidneys.

Detailed Acticlate dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking Acticlate?

Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking Acticlate.

Avoid taking any other antibiotics with Acticlate unless your doctor has told you to.

Acticlate 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.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Acticlate side effects

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).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using Acticlate.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  • throat irritation, trouble swallowing;

  • chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;

  • little or no urination;

  • low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches, weakness, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

  • 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 may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite;

  • mild diarrhea;

  • skin rash or itching;

  • darkened skin color; 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.

Acticlate side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Acticlate?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect Acticlate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Acticlate drug interactions (more detail)

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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