Psittacosis

Children aged 8 years to less than 12 years

The use of doxycycline for the treatment of acute infections in children aged 8 years to less than 12 years should be carefully justified in situations where other drugs are not available, are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.

In such circumstance, the doses for the treatment of acute infections are:

• For children 45 kg or less – Initial dose: 4.4 mg/kg (in single or 2 divided doses) with maintenance dose: 2.2 mg/kg (in single or 2 divided doses). In the management of more severe infections, up to 4.4 mg/kg should be given throughout treatment.
• For children over 45 kg – Dose administered for adults should be used.

Children aged from birth to less than 8 years

Doxycycline should not be used in children aged younger than 8 years due to the risk of teeth discolouration.

Doxycycline tablets are administered by drinking a suspension of the tablets in a small amount of water. This should be done in the sitting or standing position and well before retiring at night to reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation and ulceration. If gastric irritation occurs, it is recommended that doxycycline be given with food or milk. Studies indicate that the absorption of doxycycline is not notably influenced by simultaneous ingestion of food or milk.