Efracea

What is Efracea?

Efracea is a medicine used to treat pimples, spots and redness that are associated with the skin condition, rosacea.

How does Efracea work?

The active ingredient in Efracea has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce the symptoms (such as redness and pimples) associated with rosacea.

What are the benefits of using Efracea?

Rosacea is a common disorder that mainly affects skin on the face, causing redness and small pimples. Over time, the redness can intensify and blood vessels may become visible. Sufferers treat their rosacea not only because of its physical effects but also the mental effects it can have, such as embarrassment and self-consciousness. Although the cause is not known, treating the condition with Efracea is simple and effective.

How do I use Efracea?

Efracea is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leaflet provided in the medication packet.

Take the capsules orally by swallowing whole; do not chew them. You should take the capsules on an empty stomach, so at least one hour before food or two hours afterwards. Also, drink a full glass of water when taking the medication, to avoid any irritation to the throat.

Efracea dosage

Efracea contains the active ingredient doxycycline (as monohydrate), at a strength of 40mg per capsule.

The recommended dose is one capsule each day, taken in the morning.

If you forget to take your Efracea, skip the forgotten dose and move straight onto the next one. Don’t worry but don’t double up on your dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take more Efracea than you should, then there is a risk of damage to the liver, kidneys or pancreas and you should contact your doctor for advice.

Side effects & precautions

Before taking Efracea, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not take Efracea if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are allergic to any medicinal product in the tetracycline family, including doxycycline or minocycline, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• if you are pregnant (Efracea should not be used from the 4th month of pregnancy).
• in combination with retinoids (drugs used in the treatment of certain skin disorders such as severe acne) administered by the oral route
• if you have a condition causing absence of acid in the stomach (achlorhydria) or if you have had surgery on the upper part of the gut (called the duodenum)
• if the patient is under the age of 12 years old

Your prescription of Efracea may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply:

• you have liver disease
• you have a history of predisposition to candidiasis overgrowth or are currently experiencing an oral or vaginal yeast or fungal infection
• you suffer from the muscle disease called myasthenia gravis
• you suffer from colitis
• you suffer from oesophageal irritation or ulceration
• you have the type of rosacea which affects the eyes
• you expose your skin to strong sunlight or artificial sunlight
• you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars

Like many medications with active ingredients, Efracea can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following:

• isotretinoin (to treat severe acne)
• antacids, multi-vitamins or other products that contain calcium (such as dairy products), aluminium, magnesium, iron or bismuth, or cholestyramine, activated charcoal or sucralfate
• treatments for ulcers or heartburn
• blood thinners
• certain treatments for diabetes
• certain antibiotics, including penicillins
• barbiturates (sleeping pills or short-term pain-killers)
• rifampicin (tuberculosis)
• carbamazepine (epilepsy)
• diphenylhydantoin and phenytoin (seizures of the brain)
• primidone (anti-convulsant)
• cyclosporin (organ transplant)
• general anaesthetic (if you are scheduled to have an operation)

If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Efracea will be the best course of action for you.

Always take your Efracea capsule with plenty of water, to reduce the risk of developing irritation or ulcers in the throat. You should not take milk or dairy products at the same time as this medication, as the calcium they contain can make it less effective. After your daily dose of Efracea, be sure to wait 2 or 3 hours before consuming any calcium-containing products.

The most common side effects of using Efracea include:

• Inflammation of the nose and throat
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Fungal infection
• Anxiety
• Sinus headache
• High or increased blood pressure
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in the upper part of the abdomen
• Dry mouth
• Back pain
• Changes in some blood tests (amount of glucose in blood or tests of liver function)

If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor if you notice any serious side effects such as swelling of the tongue, rapid heartbeat or itchy skin.