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Ocudox Side Effects

Generic name: doxycycline

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 16, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Ocudox Side Effects associated with doxycycline. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ocudox.

Applies to doxycycline: oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral powder for suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet delayed release.

Serious side effects of Ocudox

Along with its needed effects, doxycycline (the active ingredient contained in Ocudox) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking doxycycline:

Less common

  • diarrhea
  • itching of the vagina or genital area
  • pain during sexual intercourse
  • thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Incidence not known

  • back, leg, or stomach pains
  • black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • bloating
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • blurred vision
  • change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
  • chest pain or tightness
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • constipation
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • discoloration of the thyroid glands
  • dizziness
  • fast heartbeat
  • feeling of discomfort
  • fever
  • headache
  • hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • hives or welts, itching, or rash
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • increased thirst
  • indigestion
  • inflammation of the joints
  • joint or muscle pain
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
  • pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • redness and soreness of the eyes
  • redness of the skin
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • severe sunburn
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
  • tooth discoloration
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusual weight loss
  • vomiting
  • yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects of Ocudox

Some side effects of doxycycline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
  • chest discomfort or burning
  • cracks in the skin
  • decrease in vision
  • difficulty breathing
  • double vision
  • general body swelling
  • heartburn
  • loss of heat from the body
  • nosebleeds
  • pain or burning in the throat
  • rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
  • red, swollen skin
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
  • scaly skin
  • severe nausea
  • severe stomach pain
  • vomiting blood

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to doxycycline: injectable powder for injection, oral capsule, oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral kit, oral powder for reconstitution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral and topical kit.

Nervous system

Benign intracranial hypertension resulting in permanent loss of vision has been reported.

A 70-year-old female patient with no significant medical history suddenly developed a severe headache followed by vomiting about 15 minutes after the initial dose of this drug. The patient also experienced memory dysfunction; she could not remember the events of the afternoon prior to the dose of this drug and could not retain the information after she was reminded. The incident lasted about 30 minutes and she was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. No further cause, such as intoxication or trauma, could be elicited. Once at the hospital, the patient was able to remember the events of the afternoon and could retain new information, but amnesia regarding the events of the 30 minutes following the onset of the headache persisted. The patient's laboratory results, computerized tomography scan, MRI scan, cerebrospinal fluid, and electroencephalogram showed no pathology. When the patient was discharged 2 days later, the amnesia for the 30 minutes continued. After elimination of other symptomatic causes, the amnesia was concluded to be due to this drug because of the close relation of the dose and the onset of symptoms.[Ref]

Other

Gastrointestinal

Numerous cases of esophageal ulceration have been reported. In most cases, the patients had taken their medication at bedtime, usually without enough liquid. Patients often presented with severe retrosternal pain and difficulty swallowing. Ulcerations generally resolved within a week after discontinuing the drug. In 1 case report, severe hiccups of 4-day duration associated with esophagitis followed the first dose of this drug.

Esophagitis and esophageal ulcerations have been reported in patients taking the capsule or tablet formulations of tetracycline-class antibiotics. Most of these patients took the drug immediately before going to bed.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Respiratory

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash (including maculopapular rash, erythematous rash), photosensitivity reaction/dermatitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, photoonycholysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
Frequency not reported: Nail discoloration, phototoxicity, photoallergic reaction, morbilliform rash, onycholysis, pustular rash
Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, urticaria

Tetracyclines:
Frequency not reported: Hyperpigmentation[Ref]

Genitourinary

Cardiovascular

Hepatic

Metabolic

Hypoglycemia in a nondiabetic patient has been reported.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Hypersensitivity

Hematologic

Renal

Endocrine

The long-term use of tetracyclines has been associated with microscopic brown-black discoloration of the thyroid gland; abnormal thyroid function has not been reported.[Ref]

Ocular

Immunologic

Tetracyclines:
Frequency not reported: Autoimmune syndromes

References

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2. Digre KB (2003) "Not so benign intracranial hypertension." BMJ, 326, p. 613-4

3. Friedman DI, Gordon LK, Egan RA, et al. (2004) "Doxycycline and intracranial hypertension." Neurology, 62, p. 2297-9

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24. Wormser GP (2006) "Clinical practice. Early Lyme disease." N Engl J Med, 354, p. 2794-801

25. Nelson R, Parker SR (2006) "Doxycycline-induced staining of adult teeth: the first reported case." Arch Dermatol, 142, p. 1081-2

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28. (2007) "Low-Dose Doxycycline (Oracea) for Rosacea." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 49, p. 5-6

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33. Curley RK, Verbov JL (1987) "Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to tetracyclines: a case report (doxycycline) and review of the literature." Clin Exp Dermatol, 12, p. 124-5

34. Lewis-Jones MS, Evans S, Thompson CM (1988) "Erythema multiforme occurring in association with lupus erythematosus during therapy with doxycycline." Clin Exp Dermatol, 13, p. 245-7

35. Frost P, Weinstein GD, Gomez EC (1972) "Phototoxic potential of minocycline and doxycycline." Arch Dermatol, 105, p. 681-3

36. Tanaka N, Kawada A, Ohnishi Y, Hiruma M, Tajima S, Akiyama M, Ishibashi A (1997) "Photosensitivity due to doxycycline hydrochloride with an unusual flare." Contact Dermatitis, 37, p. 93-4

37. Lim DS, Murphy GM (2003) "High-level ultraviolet A photoprotection is needed to prevent doxycycline phototoxicity: lessons learned in East Timor." Br J Dermatol, 149, p. 213-4

38. Passier A, Smits-van Herwaarden A, van Puijenbroek E (2004) "Photo-onycholysis associated with the use of doxycycline." BMJ, 329, p. 265

39. Akcam M, Artan R, Akcam FZ, Yilmaz A (2005) "Nail discoloration induced by doxycycline." Pediatr Infect Dis J, 24, p. 845-846

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Frequently asked questions

Further information

Ocudox side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.