Formulary
Lymecycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Lymecycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Lymecycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Lymecycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia and mycoplasma)**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 12-17 years 408 mg twice daily, dose to be increased to 1.224-1.632 g per day in severe infection.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 408 mg twice daily, dose to be increased to 1.224-1.632 g per day in severe infection.
**Acne vulgaris [adjunct to topical treatment]**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 12-17 years 408 mg once daily.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 408 mg once daily.
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia and mycoplasma) for lymecycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 408 mg twice daily, dose to be increased to 1.224-1.632 g per day in severe infection.
**Acne vulgaris [adjunct to topical treatment] for lymecycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 408 mg once daily.
Cautions
Myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness may be increased); systemic lupus erythematosus (may be exacerbated)
Contraindications
Children under 8 years (deposition in growing bone and teeth, by binding to calcium, causes staining and occasionally dental hypoplasia)
Side effects
Common or very common Angioedema; diarrhoea; headache; Henoch-Schnlein purpura; hypersensitivity; nausea; pericarditis; photosensitivity reaction; skin reactions; systemic lupus erythematosus exacerbated; vomiting Uncommon Dizziness; pancreatitis Rare or very rare Appetite decreased; discolouration of thyroid gland; dysphagia; eosinophilia; fontanelle bulging (in infants); gastrointestinal disorders; glossitis; haemolytic anaemia; hepatic disorders; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; increased risk of infection; neutropenia; pseudomembranous enterocolitis; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; thrombocytopenia Frequency not known Tooth discolouration Side-effects, further information Headache and visual disturbances may indicate benign intracranial hypertension (discontinue treatment if raised intracranial pressure develops). Side-effects For lymecycline Common or very common Gastrointestinal discomfort Frequency not known Visual impairment
Interactions
**Severe interactions:**
- Unlike earlier tetracyclines, the absorption of Lymecycline is not significantly impaired by moderate amounts of milk.
- Tetracyclines and methoxyflurane used in combination have been reported to result in fatal renal toxicity.
**Other interactions (8):**
- Simultaneous administration of iron preparations and anti-acids, magnesium/aluminium and calcium hydroxides, oxides, salts, cholestyramine, bismuth chelates, sucralfate and quinapril may decrease...
- Enzyme inducers such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin may accelerate the decomposition of tetracycline due to enzyme induction in the liver thereby decreasing its half-life.
- These products should not be taken within two (2) hours before or after after taking Lymecycline 408 mg capsules hard.
- Some adverse effects are reported with tetracycline therapy in general in case of combination with lithium; an interaction between lithium and the tetracycline class is a recognised interaction.
- A combination of lymecycline with lithium may cause an increase in serum lithium levels.
- An increase in the effects of anticoagulants may occur with tetracyclines with an increased risk of haemorrhage.
Pregnancy
Should not be given to pregnant women; effects on skeletal development have been documented in the first trimester in animal studies. Administration during the second or third trimester may cause discoloration of the child's teeth, and maternal hepatotoxicity has been reported with large parenteral doses.
Breast feeding
Should not be given to women who are breast-feeding (although absorption and therefore discoloration of teeth in the infant is probably usually prevented by chelation with calcium in milk).
Hepatic impairment
In general, manufacturers advise caution.
Renal impairment
Caution; avoid in overt renal insufficiency. M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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