CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Tetracyclines are readily absorbed and are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees. They are concentrated by the liver in
the bile and excreted in the urine and feces at high concentrations in a biologically active form. Doxycycline is virtually
completely absorbed after oral administration.
Following a 200 mg dose of doxycycline monohydrate, 24 normal adult volunteers averaged the following serum concentration
values:
Time (hr): |
0.5 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
4.0 |
8.0 |
12.0 |
24.0 |
48.0 |
72.0 |
Conc |
1.02 |
2.26 |
2.67 |
3.01 |
3.16 |
3.03 |
2.03 |
1.62 |
0.95 |
0.37 |
0.15 (μg/mL) |
Average Observed Values
Maximum Concentration |
3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) |
Time of Maximum Concentration |
2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) |
Elimination Rate Constant |
0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) |
Half-Life |
16.33 hr (± 4.53 sd) |
Excretion of doxycycline by the kidney is about 40%/72 hours in individuals with normal function (creatinine clearance about
75 mL/min). This percentage excretion may fall as low as 1-5%/72 hours in individuals with severe renal insufficiency
(creatinine clearance below 10 mL/min). Studies have shown no significant difference in serum half-life of doxycycline (range
18-22 hours) in individuals with normal and severely impaired renal function.
Hemodialysis does not alter serum half-life.
Microbiology
Mechanism Of Action
Doxycycline inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Doxycycline has bacteriostatic
activity against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Resistance
Cross resistance with other tetracyclines is common.
Antimicrobial Activity
Doxycycline has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical
infections (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE).
GramNegative Bacteria
Acinetobacter species
Bartonella bacilliformis
Brucella species
Campylobacter fetus
Enterobacter aerogenes
Escherichia coli
Francisella tularensis
Haemophilus ducreyi
Haemophilus influenzae
Klebsiella granulomatis
Klebsiella species
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Shigella species
Vibrio cholerae
Yersinia pestis
Gram Positive Bacteria
Bacillus anthracis
Listeria monocytogenes
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Anaerobic Bacteria
Clostridium species
Fusobacterium fusiforme
Propionibacterium acnes
Other Bacteria
Nocardiae and other Actinomyces species
Borrelia recurrentis
Chlamydophila psittaci
Chlamydia trachomatis
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Rickettsiae
Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Parasites
Balantidium coli
Entamoeba species
Susceptibility Testing Methods
When available, the clinical microbiology laboratory should provide cumulative reports of in vitro susceptibility test results for antimicrobial drugs used in local hospitals and practice areas as periodic reports that describe the susceptibility profile of nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens. These reports should aid the physician in selecting the most effective antimicrobial.
Dilution Techniques
Quantitative methods are used to determine antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). These MICs provide estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. The MICs should be determined using a standardized test method (broth and/or agar).1,2,4,6,7 The MIC values should be interpreted according to criteria provided in Table 1.
Diffusion Techniques
Quantitative methods that require measurement of zone diameters can also provide reproducible estimates of the susceptibility
of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. The zone size should be determined using a standardized test method.1,3,4 This procedure uses paper disks impregnated with 30 mcg doxycycline to test the susceptibility of microorganisms to doxycycline. The disk diffusion interpretive criteria are provided in Table 1.
Anaerobic Techniques
For anaerobic bacteria, the susceptibility to doxycycline can be determined by a standardized test method.1,5 The MIC values obtained should be interpreted according to the criteria provided in Table 1
Table 1: Susceptibility Test Interpretive Criteria for Doxycycline and Tetracycline
Bacteria* |
Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (mcg per mL) |
Zone Diameter (mm) |
Agar Dilution (mcg per mL) |
S |
I |
R |
S |
I |
R |
S |
I |
R |
Acinetobacter spp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
≥13 |
10-12 |
≤9 |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
≥15 |
12-14 |
≤11 |
- |
- |
- |
Anaerobes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
Bacillus anthracis† |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Brucella species† |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Enterobacteriaceae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
≥14 |
11-13 |
≤10 |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
≥15 |
12-14 |
≤11 |
- |
- |
- |
Franciscella tularensis† |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Haemophilus influenzae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
≤2 |
4 |
≥8 |
≥29 |
26-28 |
≤25 |
- |
- |
- |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae† |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
≤2 |
- |
- |
Neisseria gonorrhoeae‡ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
- |
≥38 |
31-37 |
≤30 |
≤0.25 |
0.5-1 |
≥2 |
Norcardiae and other aerobic Actinomyces species† |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤1 |
2-4 |
≥8 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Streptococcus pneumoniae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
<0.25 |
0.5 |
≥1 |
≥28 |
25-27 |
<24 |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤1 |
2 |
≥4 |
≥28 |
25-27 |
≤24 |
|
|
|
Vibrio cholerae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Yersinia pestis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
≤4 |
8 |
≥16 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Ureaplasma urealyticum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
≤1 |
- |
≥2 |
* Organisms susceptible to tetracycline are also considered susceptible to doxycycline. However, some organisms that are intermediate or resistant to tetracycline may be susceptible to doxycycline.
† The current absence of resistance isolates precludes defining any results other than "Susceptible". If isolates yielding MIC results other than susceptible, they should be submitted to a reference laboratory for further testing.
‡ Gonococci with 30 mcg tetracycline disk zone diameters of less than 19 mm usually indicate a plasmid-mediated tetracycline resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolate. Resistance in these strains should be confirmed by a dilution test (MIC ≥ 16 mcg per mL). |
A report of Susceptible (S) indicates that the antimicrobial is likely to inhibit growth of the microorganism if the antimicrobial drug reaches the concentration usually achievable at the site of infection. A report of Intermediate (I) indicates that the result should be considered equivocal, and, if the microorganism is not fully susceptible to alternative, clinically feasible drugs, the test should be repeated. This category implies possible clinical applicability in body sites where the drug product is physiologically concentrated or in situations where high dosage of drug can be used. This category also provides a buffer zone that prevents small uncontrolled technical factors from causing major discrepancies in interpretation. A report of Resistant (R) indicates that the antimicrobial drug is not likely to inhibit growth of the microorganism if the antimicrobial drug reaches the concentrations usually achievable at the infection site; other therapy should be selected.
Quality Control
Standardized susceptibility test procedures require the use of laboratory controls to monitor and ensure the accuracy and
precision of the supplies and reagents used in the assay, and the techniques of the individuals performing the test.1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Standard doxycycline and tetracycline powders should provide the following range of MIC values noted in Table 2. For the
diffusion technique using the 30 mcg doxycycline disk or 30 mcg tetracycline disk, the criteria noted in should be achieved.
Table 2: Acceptable Quality Control Ranges for Susceptibility Testing for Doxycycline and Tetracycline
QC Strain |
Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (mcg per mL) |
Zone Diameter (mm) |
Agar Dilution (mcg per mL) |
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
2 – 8 |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
8 – 32 |
- |
- |
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
0.5 – 2 |
18 -24 |
- |
Tetracycline |
0.5 – 2 |
18 -25 |
- |
Eggerthella lenta ATCC 43055 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
2-16 |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247 |
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
4 – 32 |
14 -22 |
- |
Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC 49226 |
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
30 -42 |
0.25 -1 |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
- |
23 -29 |
- |
Tetracycline |
- |
24 -30 |
- |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
0.12 -0.5 |
- |
- |
Tetracycline |
0.12 – 1 |
- |
- |
Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
0.015 -0.12 |
25 -34 |
- |
Tetracycline |
0.06 -0.5 |
27 -31 |
- |
Bacteroides fragilis ATCC 25285 |
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
0.125 -0.5 |
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29741 |
|
|
|
Doxycycline |
2-8 |
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
8 -32 |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae ATCC 29342 |
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
0.06 -0.5 |
- |
0.06 -0.5 |
Ureaplasma urealyticum ATCC 33175 |
|
|
|
Tetracycline |
- |
- |
≥8 |
*ATCC is the American Type Culture Collection |
Animal Pharmacology And Toxicology
Hyperpigmentation of the thyroid has been produced by members of the tetracycline class in the following species: in rats by oxytetracycline, doxycycline, tetracycline PO4, and methacycline; in minipigs by doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline PO4, and methacycline; in dogs by doxycycline and minocycline; in monkeys by minocycline.
Minocycline, tetracycline PO4, methacycline, doxycycline, tetracycline base, oxytetracycline HCl and tetracycline HCl were goitrogenic in rats fed a low iodine diet. This goitrogenic effect was accompanied by high radioactive iodine uptake. Administration of minocycline also produced a large goiter with high radioiodine uptake in rats fed a relatively high iodine diet.
Treatment of various animal species with this class of drugs has also resulted in the induction of thyroid hyperplasia in the following: in rats and dogs (minocycline), in chickens (chlortetracycline) and in rats and mice (oxytetracycline). Adrenal gland hyperplasia has been observed in goats and rats treated with oxytetracycline.
REFERENCES
1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; Twenty-seventh Informational Supplement, CLSI document M100-S27 [2017]. CLSI document M100S23, Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA.
2. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methods for Dilution Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests for
Bacteria that Grow Aerobically; Approved Standard – Tenth Edition. CLSI document M07-A10 [2015], Clinical
Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA,.
3. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Tests; Approved Standard – Twelfth Edition. CLSI document M02-A12 [2015], Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA.
4. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methods for Antimicrobial Dilution and Disk Susceptibility Testing of Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria; Approved Guideline – Third Edition. CLSI document M45-A3 [2015], Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA,.
5. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methods for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Anaerobic Bacteria; Approved Standard – Eighth Edition. CLSI document M11-A8 [2012], Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA,.
6. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methods for Mycobacteria, Nocardiae, and Other Aerobic Actinomycetes; Approved Standard – Second Edition. CLSI document M24-A2 [2011], Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA,.
7. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Methods for Antimicrobial Suscepti bility Testing for Human Mycoplasmas; Approved Guideline. CLSI document M43-A [2011], Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, 950 West Valley Road, Suite 2500, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, USA.