Contraindications
Doxycycline should not be taken in cases of severe liver dysfunction, hypersensitivity reactions or known renal insufficiency. Doxycycline should not be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding, as from the 4th month of pregnancy Doxycycline can lead to irreversible tooth discoloration, enamel defects and a delay in bone growth in the foetus. In addition, there is an increased risk of liver damage if Doxycycline is used during pregnancy. In children, Doxycycline should not be used after the age of 12 due to the risks described above.
Interactions
Doxycycline can interact with polyvalent metal ions. If it is bound to these, the intestinal absorption of doxycycline is reduced. For this reason, milk (a strong calcium carrier) should not be consumed during Doxycycline treatment, as the effectiveness of the antibiotic would otherwise be greatly affected. Observations have shown that a break of 2 hours between doxycycline intake and milk consumption is sufficient to ensure good efficacy of the drug.
