(dem e kloe SYE kleen)
Note: Use of demeclocycline as an antibacterial agent is uncommon; alternative tetracycline agents (eg, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline) are generally preferred.
Acne: Adjunctive therapy in severe acne.
Actinomycosis: Treatment of actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces israelii when penicillin is contraindicated.
Acute intestinal amebiasis: Adjunct to amebicides in acute intestinal amebiasis.
Anthrax: Treatment of anthrax due to Bacillus anthracis when penicillin is contraindicated.
Cholera: Treatment of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae.
Clostridium: Treatment of clostridial disease caused by Clostridium spp. when penicillin is contraindicated.
Gram-negative infections: Treatment of infections caused by Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella species, and Acinetobacter species.
Listeriosis: Treatment of listeriosis due to Listeria monocytogenes when penicillin is contraindicated.
Ophthalmic infections: Treatment of inclusion conjunctivitis or trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Plague: Treatment of plague due to Yersinia pestis.
Relapsing fever: Treatment of relapsing fever caused by Borrelia recurrentis.
Respiratory tract infections: Treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae; treatment of upper respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Rickettsial infections: Treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, and the typhus group, Q fever, rickettsialpox and tick fevers caused by Rickettsiae.
Sexually transmitted diseases:
Treatment of lymphogranuloma venereum caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; granuloma inguinale caused by Klebsiella granulomatis; chancroid caused by Haemophilus ducreyi; nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum or Chlamydia trachomatis; when penicillin is contraindicated, uncomplicated urethritis in men caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and other uncomplicated gonococcal infections, infections in women caused by N. gonorrhea, and syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum.
Demeclocycline is not a recommended alternative for gonorrhea according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sexually transmitted diseases guidelines. Consult current guidelines for recommendations (Workowski 2015).
Skin and skin structure infections: Treatment of skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Urinary tract infections: Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Klebsiella species
Vincent infection: Treatment of Vincent infection caused by Fusobacterium fusiforme when penicillin is contraindicated.
Yaws: Treatment of yaws caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue when penicillin is contraindicated.
Zoonotic infections: Treatment of psittacosis (ornithosis) caused by Chlamydophila psittaci; tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis; brucellosis caused by Brucella species (in conjunction with streptomycin); bartonellosis caused by Bartonella bacilliformis; infections caused by Campylobacter fetus.
Hypersensitivity to demeclocycline, tetracyclines, or any component of the formulation
Susceptible infections: Oral: 150 mg 4 times daily or 300 mg twice daily
SIADH (off-label use): Oral: 600 to 1,200 mg/day (Goh 2004; Gross 2008, Verbalis 2013). Note: Limited high quality evidence exists to define the clinical role, if any, of demeclocycline in this condition. European clinical practice guidelines recommend against the use of demeclocycline for the management of hyponatremia in patients with SIADH (Spasovski 2014).
Refer to adult dosing.
Susceptible infections: Oral: Children >8 years and Adolescents: 7 to 13 mg/kg/day (maximum: 600 mg/day) divided every 6-12 hours
There are no specific dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer 's labeling; dosage adjustment and/or increase in time interval between doses is recommended; use with caution. Tetracyclines are not removed in significant quantities by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
There are no specific dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer 's labeling; dosage adjustment and/or increase in time interval between doses is recommended; use with caution.
Administer 1 hour before or 2 hours after food or milk. Administer with adequate amounts of fluid to decrease the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration.
Due to potential for decreased absorption, administer 1 hour before or 2 hours after food or milk.
Store at 20 ‚ °C to 25 ‚ °C (68 ‚ °F to 77 ‚ °F).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral, as hydrochloride:
Generic: 150 mg, 300 mg
Aminolevulinic Acid: Photosensitizing Agents may enhance the photosensitizing effect of Aminolevulinic Acid. Monitor therapy
Antacids: May decrease the absorption of Tetracycline Derivatives. Consider therapy modification
BCG (Intravesical): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG (Intravesical). Avoid combination
BCG Vaccine (Immunization): Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of BCG Vaccine (Immunization). Monitor therapy
Bile Acid Sequestrants: May decrease the absorption of Tetracycline Derivatives. Consider therapy modification
Bismuth Subcitrate: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Avoid administration of oral tetracyclines within 30 minutes of bismuth subcitrate administration. This is of questionable significance for at least some regimens intended to treat H. pylori infections. Consider therapy modification
Bismuth Subsalicylate: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Consider dosing tetracyclines 2 hours before or 6 hours after bismuth. The need to separate doses during Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens is questionable. Consider therapy modification
Calcium Salts: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: If coadministration of oral calcium with oral tetracyclines can not be avoided, consider separating administration of each agent by several hours. Consider therapy modification
Cholera Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cholera Vaccine. Avoid combination
Desmopressin: Demeclocycline may diminish the therapeutic effect of Desmopressin. Monitor therapy
Iron Salts: Tetracycline Derivatives may decrease the absorption of Iron Salts. Iron Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Exceptions: Ferric Carboxymaltose; Ferric Gluconate; Ferric Hydroxide Polymaltose Complex; Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate; Ferumoxytol; Iron Dextran Complex; Iron Sucrose. Consider therapy modification
Lactobacillus and Estriol: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus and Estriol. Monitor therapy
Lanthanum: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Administer oral tetracycline antibiotics at least two hours before or after lanthanum. Consider therapy modification
Magnesium Dimecrotate: May interact via an unknown mechanism with Tetracycline Derivatives. Monitor therapy
Magnesium Salts: May decrease the absorption of Tetracycline Derivatives. Only applicable to oral preparations of each agent. Consider therapy modification
Mecamylamine: Tetracycline Derivatives may enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Mecamylamine. Avoid combination
Mipomersen: Tetracycline Derivatives may enhance the hepatotoxic effect of Mipomersen. Monitor therapy
Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: If coadministration of a polyvalent cation-containing multivitamin with oral tetracyclines can not be avoided, separate administration of each agent by several hours. Consider therapy modification
Multivitamins/Minerals (with AE, No Iron): May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: If coadministration of a polyvalent cation-containing multivitamin with oral tetracyclines can not be avoided, separate administration of each agent by several hours. Consider therapy modification
Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents: Tetracycline Derivatives may enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents. Monitor therapy
Penicillins: Tetracycline Derivatives may diminish the therapeutic effect of Penicillins. Consider therapy modification
Porfimer: Photosensitizing Agents may enhance the photosensitizing effect of Porfimer. Monitor therapy
Quinapril: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Separate doses of quinapril and oral tetracycline derivatives by at least 2 hours in order to reduce the risk of interaction. Monitor for reduced efficacy of the tetracycline if these products are used concomitantly. Consider therapy modification
Retinoic Acid Derivatives: Tetracycline Derivatives may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Retinoic Acid Derivatives. The development of pseudotumor cerebri is of particular concern. Exceptions: Adapalene; Bexarotene (Topical); Tretinoin (Topical). Avoid combination
Sodium Picosulfate: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sodium Picosulfate. Management: Consider using an alternative product for bowel cleansing prior to a colonoscopy in patients who have recently used or are concurrently using an antibiotic. Consider therapy modification
Strontium Ranelate: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: In order to minimize any potential impact of strontium ranelate on tetracycline antibiotic concentrations, it is recommended that strontium ranelate treatment be interrupted during tetracycline therapy. Avoid combination
Sucralfate: May decrease the absorption of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Administer the tetracycline derivative at least 2 hours prior to sucralfate in order to minimize the impact of this interaction. Consider therapy modification
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide: May decrease the serum concentration of Tetracycline Derivatives. Management: Administer oral/enteral doxycycline at least 1 h before sucroferric oxyhydroxide. Specific dose separation guidelines for other tetracyclines are not presently available. No interaction is anticipated with parenteral administration of tetracyclines. Consider therapy modification
Typhoid Vaccine: Antibiotics may diminish the therapeutic effect of Typhoid Vaccine. Only the live attenuated Ty21a strain is affected. Management: Vaccination with live attenuated typhoid vaccine (Ty21a) should be avoided in patients being treated with systemic antibacterial agents. Use of this vaccine should be postponed until at least 3 days after cessation of antibacterial agents. Consider therapy modification
Verteporfin: Photosensitizing Agents may enhance the photosensitizing effect of Verteporfin. Monitor therapy
Vitamin K Antagonists (eg, warfarin): Tetracycline Derivatives may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K Antagonists. Monitor therapy
Zinc Salts: May decrease the absorption of Tetracycline Derivatives. Only a concern when both products are administered orally. Management: Consider doxycycline as a noninteracting tetracycline derivative. Separate dose administration of oral tetracycline derivative and oral zinc salts by at least 2 hours to minimize interaction. Exceptions: Zinc Chloride. Consider therapy modification
CBC, renal and hepatic function
Frequency not defined.
Cardiovascular: Pericarditis
Central nervous system: Bulging fontanel (infants), dizziness, headache, pseudotumor cerebri (adults)
Dermatologic: Erythema multiforme, erythematous rash, maculopapular rash, skin photosensitivity, skin pigmentation, urticaria
Endocrine & metabolic: Microscopic thyroid discoloration (brown/black), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, dental discoloration (children <8 years, rare in adults), diarrhea, dysphagia, enterocolitis, esophageal ulcer, glossitis, nausea, pancreatitis, vomiting
Genitourinary: Balanitis, inflammatory anogenital lesion (with monilial overgrowth)
Hematologic & oncologic: Eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, IgA vasculitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
Hepatic: Increased liver enzymes
Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, angioedema
Infection: Superinfection
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, lupus-like syndrome, polyarthralgia
Ophthalmic: Visual disturbance
Otic: Tinnitus
Renal: Acute renal failure, increased blood urea nitrogen
Respiratory: Pulmonary infiltrates
<1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, thyroid dysfunction
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- CNS effects: May cause dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving).
- Diabetes insipidus syndrome: Dose-dependent nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is common with use (reversible on discontinuation); however, this adverse event of demeclocycline has been used as a therapeutic advantage in the off-label use of hyponatremia associated with SIADH.
- Increased BUN: May be associated with increases in BUN secondary to antianabolic effects; use caution in patients with renal impairment.
- Intracranial hypertension (eg, pseudotumor cerebri): Intracranial hypertension (headache, blurred vision) has been associated with use. Usually resolves after discontinuation of treatment; however, permanent sequelae are possible.
- Photosensitivity: May cause photosensitivity; discontinue if skin erythema occurs. Use skin protection and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight; do not use tanning equipment.
- Superinfection: Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) and pseudomembranous colitis; CDAD has been observed >2 months postantibiotic treatment.
Disease-related concerns:
- Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; dose adjustment and/or adjustment to interval frequency recommended. Hepatotoxicity and hepatic failure have been reported rarely with use.
- Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; dosage adjustment and/or adjustment to interval frequency recommended. Nephrotoxicity has also been reported with use, particularly in the setting of cirrhosis (Sherlock 2010).
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Special populations:
- Pediatric: May cause tissue hyperpigmentation, enamel hypoplasia, or permanent tooth discoloration; use of tetracyclines should be avoided during tooth development (children <8 years of age) unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.
- Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. In addition to affecting tooth development, tetracycline use has been associated with retardation of skeletal development and reduced bone growth.
D
Tetracyclines, including demeclocycline, cross the placenta and accumulate in developing teeth and long tubular bones. Tetracyclines may discolor fetal teeth following maternal use during pregnancy; the specific teeth involved and the portion of the tooth affected depends on the timing and duration of exposure relative to tooth calcification. As a class, tetracyclines are generally considered second-line antibiotics in pregnant women and their use should be avoided (Gibbons 1960; Mylonas 2011).
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding with the 30S and possibly the 50S ribosomal subunit(s) of susceptible bacteria; may also cause alterations in the cytoplasmic membrane; inhibits the action of ADH in patients with chronic SIADH
66% (Agwuh 2006); extent of absorption is reduced by food and by certain antacids and dairy products containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or iron
1.7 L/kg (Agwuh 2006)
None
Urine (44% as unchanged drug); feces (13% to 46% as unchanged drug)
SIADH: 2 to 5 days (Sherlock 2010)
Serum: ~4 hours
10 to 16 hours
~40% to 90%
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Have patient report immediately to prescriber signs of kidney problems (urinary retention, blood in urine, change in amount of urine passed, or weight gain), vision changes, severe headache, polyuria, thirst, weight loss, severe loss of strength and energy, or signs of Clostridium difficile (C. diff)-associated diarrhea (stomach pain or cramps, very loose or watery stools, or bloody stools) (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.