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Overview: Oracea is an antibiotic used for a specific skin condition. Even though it is an antibiotic, it is not used to treat infections. Common side effects may include high blood pressure or stomach pain. Severe side effects are less common, but may include severe diarrhea or diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Let your health care provider know if you have diarrhea that is bloody, watery, or does not go away. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take, including vitamins or other over-the-counter products before you start taking Oracea.   

Uses

What is Oracea used for?

Oracea (doxycycline) is commonly used to treat skin pimples or bumps from rosacea. Oracea does not lessen redness that can happen with rosacea.

Oracea may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Other strengths and forms of doxycycline are available for other uses. See Doxycycline for more information.

How does Oracea work (mechanism of action)?

Oracea may work by decreasing skin inflammation. 

How is Oracea supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Oracea

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 40 mg oral capsule

How should I store Oracea?

Oracea should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Keep tightly closed. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Oracea?

The most common side effects of Oracea are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Infection in the sinuses, nose, or throat 
  • Sore throat or common cold symptoms
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Stomach pain

There may be other side effects of Oracea that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Oracea?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Oracea are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Oracea. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to 2 months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Severe Allergic Reactions. Oracea can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Oracea and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes 
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking certain drugs, including Oracea. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Stop Oracea and tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Immune System Reactions. Oracea can cause inflammation of your liver, blood vessels, or lymph vessels and cause symptoms that look like a condition called lupus. Stop taking Oracea and call your health care provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms.

  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Oracea can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri. Stop taking Oracea and call your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Vision changes

Permanent Teeth Discoloration. Oracea can cause a permanent change in tooth color to yellow, gray, or brown. It may also affect growth of tooth enamel (also called enamel hypoplasia). These side effects can happen during tooth development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to age 8. Stop taking Oracea and tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant. 

Discoloration. Oracea can cause darkening of many areas of the body. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any change in the color of your skin, teeth, scars, gums, nails, and whites of your eyes.

Another Infection With Prolonged Use. Taking Oracea for a prolonged period of time may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of an infection.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Oracea?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Oracea.

  • Doxycycline
  • Oracea
  • Any other medicine known as a tetracycline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Oracea.

What should I know about Oracea before using it?

Do not take Oracea unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Taking more Oracea than prescribed may increase the chance that bacteria will develop resistance to Oracea. This may make Oracea or other antibiotics not work as well in the future. Do not take Oracea to treat or prevent an infection.

Do not share Oracea with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Oracea out of the reach of children.

Take Oracea with plenty of fluid. Oracea can irritate your throat, and washing the medicine down with enough fluid to completely swallow the capsule lowers this risk.

Tell all of your health care providers that you are taking Oracea. It can affect certain lab tests. Knowing that you are taking it can help them better understand your certain lab test results.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Oracea?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Oracea is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

  • Kidney or liver problems 
  • Diarrhea
  • Vision problems
  • History of surgery on your stomach
  • History of yeast or fungal infections in the mouth or vagina

Pregnancy. Oracea may cause harm to a fetus baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Oracea right away and contact your health care provider.

Breastfeeding. Do not take Oracea while you are breastfeeding and for 5 days after the last dose. Oracea can pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

How can I get more information about Oracea?

For more information about Oracea, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.oracea.com or call them at 866-735-4137.

Interactions

Does Oracea interact with foods or drinks?

Oracea should be taken on an empty stomach. Avoid taking Oracea within 1 hour before meals or within 2 hours after meals.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Oracea.

Does Oracea interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following before taking Oracea.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A penicillin antibiotic, which is a medicine used for certain bacterial infections
  • An antacid containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • Iron, which is a medicine used to treat/prevent low iron levels
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which is a medicine used for upset stomach, heartburn, and nausea
  • A barbiturate, such as phenobarbital, butalbital, primidone, and amobarbital, which are medicines that may be used to treat insomnia, migraine, or seizures
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, and others), which is a medicine used for seizures and nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • An oral retinoid (isotretinoin, acitretin), which is a medicine used to treat skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Oracea?

If you or someone else has used too much Oracea, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Oracea?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.