Doxycycline with Aminolevulinic Acid Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Doxycycline
- Acticlate CAP®
- Acticlate®
- Doryx MPC®
- Doryx®
- Doxychel®
- Doxycycline
- Monodox®
- Oracea®
- Periostat®
- Vibra-Tabs®
- Vibramycin®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 13, 2023
Interaction Effect
Increased risk of phototoxic skin reaction (ie, severe sunburn)
Interaction Summary
Avoid administering this drug for 24 hours before and after administration of oral aminolevulinic acid. Concurrent use of topical aminolevulinic acid and this drug may increase the risk of phototoxic reaction . A phototoxic reaction following administration of aminolevulinic acid to a patient taking St. John's wort has been described . An in vitro study also demonstrated synergistic phototoxicity of St. John's wort and aminolevulinic acid .
Severity
Moderate
Onset
Unspecified
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Avoid administering this drug for 24 hours before and after administration of oral aminolevulinic acid. Concurrent use of topical aminolevulinic acid and this drug may increase the risk of phototoxic reaction .
Mechanism Of Interaction
Synergistic phototoxicity
Literature Reports
A) In a clinical trial investigating aminolevulinic acid in the diagnosis of breast tumors involving 20 patients, one patient experienced a phototoxic reaction six hours after receiving aminolevulinic acid. It was discovered that this patient was taking St. John's wort (Hyperiforce(R)). The patient developed a burning erythematous rash with severe swelling of the face, neck, and hands. The doses of St. John's wort and aminolevulinic acid were below the usual phototoxic threshold, suggesting a synergistic phototoxic effect when the two were combined. An in vitro study confirmed the hypothesis that a synergistic phototoxic effect occurred when St. John's wort and aminolevulinic acid were combined .
Doxycycline Overview
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Doxycycline is used to treat a variety of infections caused by certain types of bacteria. Doxycycline is also used to treat or prevent anthrax (a serious infection that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack) in people who may have been exposed to anthrax in the air and to treat plague and tuleramia (serious infections that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack). It is also used to prevent malaria. Doxycycline is also used along with other medications to treat acne and rosacea (a skin disease that causes redness, flushing, and pimples on the face). Doxycycline (Oracea) is used only to treat pimples and bumps caused by rosacea. Doxycycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat infections by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infects pores and decreasing a certain natural oily substance that causes acne. It works to treat rosacea by decreasing the inflammation that causes this condition.
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Antibiotics such as doxycycline will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.