Therapeutic Classification: anti-infectives
Pharmacologic Classification: tetracyclines
Absorption: Well absorbed from the GI tract.
Distribution: Widely distributed, some CSF and good bone penetration.
Metabolism/Excretion: 20–40% excreted unchanged in urine; some inactivation in intestine and some enterohepatic circulation with excretion in bile and feces.
Half-Life: 14–17 hr (↑ in severe renal impairment).
More Common Infections
- PO (Adults and Children >8 yr and >45 kg): Most infections: 100 mg every 12 hr on the 1st day; then 100–200 mg once daily or 50–100 mg every 12 hr. Gonorrhea: 100 mg every 12 hr for 7 days or 200 mg once daily for 7 days (delayed-release tablets) or 300 mg followed 1 hr later by another 300-mg dose. Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis: 100 mg every 12 hr for 7 days. Syphilis (early): 100 mg every 12 hr for 14 days. Syphilis (>1 yr duration): 100 mg every 12 hr for 4 wk. Malaria prophylaxis: 100 mg once daily (2 mg/kg once daily for children > 8 yr). Lyme disease: 100 mg twice daily; Periodontitis: 20 mg twice daily; Rosacea: 40 mg once daily in morning.
- PO (Children >8 yr and <45 kg): Less severe infections: 2.2 mg/kg every 12 hr on the 1st day; then 2.2–4.4 mg/kg once daily or 1.1–2.2 mg/kg every 12 hr.
- PO (Children >45 kg): Severe or life-threatening infections (Rocky Mountain spotted fever): 100 mg every 12 hr.
- PO (Children <45 kg): Severe or life-threatening infections (Rocky Mountain spotted fever): 2.2 mg/kg every 12 hr.
Inhalational Anthrax (Postexposure)
- PO IV (Adults and Children >45 kg): 100 mg IV every 12 hr; change to 100 mg PO every 12 hr when clinically appropriate for a total of 60 days; one or two other anti-infectives may be added initially, depending on clinical situation.
- PO IV (Children ≤45 kg): 2.2 mg/kg IV every 12 hr; change to 2.2 mg/kg PO every 12 hr when clinically appropriate for a total of 60 days; one or two other anti-infectives may be added initially, depending on clinical situation.
Cutaneous Anthrax
- PO (Adults ): 100 mg every 12 hr for 60 days; some patients may require IV therapy initially depending on clinical situation.
- PO (Children >8 yr and >45 kg): 100 mg every 12 hr; some patients may require IV therapy initially depending on clinical situation.
- PO (Children >8 yr and ≤45 kg): 2.2 mg/kg every 12 hr; some patients may require IV therapy initially depending on clinical situation.
- PO (Children ≤8 yr): 2.2 mg/kg every 12 hr; some patients may require IV therapy initially depending on clinical situation.
