Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that prevents the bacteria from producing protein necessary for its growth and multiplication. Taking calcium, aluminum, iron or magnesium supplements can cause your body to be unable to absorb this medicine properly. Interaction can be avoided if you make a pause between taking any of such products and doxycycline. Your doctor can help you to decide when and how you should be taking all of the medicines you have to use to prevent interactions and make your treatment more efficient. Some of the medications mentioned can alter, decrease or increase the effects of doxycycline rendering your treatment less beneficial. Do not combine doxycycline with any new drugs you have to take without previously discussing it with your health care provider. In some cases doxycycline has been reported to make birth control pills less efficient, resulting in a pregnancy. If you are using a hormonal method of contraception make sure you use another one to make sure you avoid pregnancy.

It’s important to talk to your health care provider before you start taking doxycycline as some medical conditions you are diagnosed with can prevent you from taking this medicine. These include liver or kidney disease, a history of yeast infections and any allergies. Pregnant or breastfeeding women must not take this medicine as it can harm an unborn or nursing baby. Kidney or liver disease can prevent you from taking doxycycline. Your doctor may recommend another medicine or your dosage will need to be adjusted to make sure it is safe and will not cause any serious symptoms in you. If you have severe diarrhea it may be a sign of developing another infection. Do not take any medicines to treat this condition before talking to your health care provider about it. If you have a headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision notify your doctor right away.