fact sheet

DOXYCYCLINE SUMMARY Fact Sheet FOR RECIPIENTS

You have been given doxycycline because you may have been exposed to the anthrax germ, which can be deadly. You can decide whether to take this drug. Taking doxycycline can help keep you from getting sick from the anthrax germ. If you are taking doxycycline as directed and you begin to feel sick, get medical care right away.

You will start with only enough medicine for 10 days. This is not a full course of treatment, which is usually 60 days. Public officials will announce where you can get the rest of the medicine that you will need.

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by the germ Bacillus anthracis. People who breathe in (inhale) anthrax spores are at risk of getting serious disease including death. You cannot give anthrax to other people.

What is doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a medicine that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent anthrax disease.*

Who should not take doxycycline?

Do not take doxycycline if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to doxycycline or other tetracycline.

How much should I take?

• Adults (≥18 years) who can swallow pills and children 40 kg (89 lbs) or more who can swallow pills - Take one tablet (100 mg) in the morning and one tablet in the evening.

• Adults who cannot swallow pills and children (under 89 lbs) should crush tablets and follow the pamphlet titled “In an Emergency: How to Prepare Doxycycline for Children and Adults Who Cannot Swallow Pills.”

• Children or Adults taking suspension- Your provider will write the amount to be taken on the bottle. Take the same amount in the morning and in the evening. Shake well before using.

If you are taking magnesium, aluminum antacids, sucralfate, Videx (didanosine), or products that contain calcium, iron, or zinc, then take the doxycycline at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking any of these products.

What are the possible severe side effects of doxycycline?

• Serious allergic reactions such as swelling of tongue, trouble breathing and death

• Teeth problems (discolored teeth (permanent) and poor tooth enamel, more often in children below the age of 8 years and in unborn children during the last half of pregnancy.)

• Slowed bone growth in children

• Intestinal infection (fever and watery or bloody diarrhea)

• Sores in the swallowing tube between the mouth and stomach (esophagus) – Drink a glass of water after you take your doxycycline

• Sun sensitivity

*Certain aspects of this emergency use are not part of the approved drug applications. For more information about the emergency use, benefits and risks of doxycycline, and alternatives see http://emergency.cdc.gov/ (Fact Sheet for Recipients). Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the web at: www.cdc.gov, or by telephone at: 1 (800) CDC-INFO.

Doxycycline EUA Page 3 of 11 Version 4.0

Fact Sheet for Recipients January 13, 2009