Efracea Modified Release Capsules - 40mg

What are Efracea 40mg Modified Release Capsules?

Efracea contains the active ingredient doxycycline, which belongs to a group of medicines known as tetracycline antibiotics.

It is suitable to be taken by adults and children who are aged 12 and above. You must have a prescription to buy Efracea. 

What is Efracea used to treat?

Efracea is a slow-release formulation that can be used in the treatment of rosacea.

Efracea is usually prescribed for an initial 6 week period, during which your symptoms and side effects will also be monitored. The course can be extended to 16 weeks if rosacea symptoms respond well to Efracea.

As Rosacea is a chronic lifelong condition, the long term use of antibiotics is not recommended as this restricts the body’s natural development and resistance to bacteria.

Why is Efracea recommended for rosacea?

Doxycycline is a very diverse antibiotic, when used to treat acne and rosacea, during clinical trials it displayed an 80-100% success rate at clearing inflammatory lesions of rosacea.

Doxycycline also reduced the symptoms of facial erythema of rosacea by 50% over a 4 week period.

How does Efracea work to treat acne and rosacea?

Orally taken antibiotics such as Doxycycline, reduce the inflammatory lesions, papules and pustules caused by rosacea. It also helps to reduce some of the main symptoms of rosacea, facial erythema; which is responsible for redness and swelling of the face.

Who can use Efracea?

Efracea is an effective treatment for rosacea, but it may not be suitable for everyone to use.

Do not take Efracea if any of the below apply to you:

• You are allergic to doxycycline or any of the other ingredients contained in this medication
• You are allergic to any other medicine in the tetracycline family, including doxycycline and minocycline
• You have a condition that causes a lack of acid in the stomach called achlorhydria
• You have had surgery on the upper part of your gut

For more information on who this treatment may or may not be suitable for, please read the patient information leaflet.

Can you buy Efracia capsules over the counter?

Efracea is a prescription-only medicine (POM), it cannot be purchased over the counter.

Can you buy Efracea 40mg capsules online?

You can buy Efracea tablets to treat Rosacea online at Medicine Direct after completing a consultation with a doctor or prescriber. Next day delivery is available if you order by 2pm. 

Medicine Direct is a fully regulated UK pharmacy. For your own safety, you should never order medicine online unless it is from a registered pharmacy. 

How to take Efracea 40mg capsules?

Recommended daily dose

Doxycycline Dosage for rosacea - NICE

Take this medicine on an empty stomach, ideally at least one hour before a meal, or two hours after eating.

Directions of use

Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them. Make sure you have a sufficient amount of water to ensure that the capsules travel down your throat properly. This will avoid throat irritation.

To further avoid any throat irritation, it is best to be sat up straight or standing while taking Efracea.

Keep taking Efracea until your doctor tells you to stop.

We recommend thoroughly reading the patient information leaflet that will detail full step-by-step directions to take your medicine safely.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Efracea can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. 

Common side effects of taking Efracea may include:

• Fungal infections
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Inflammation of the nose and throat
• Pain
• Back pain
• Anxiety
• High or increased blood pressure
• Diarrhoea
• Sinus headache
• Changes in some blood tests
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Headache
• Increased pressure in the brain

Please speak to your doctor if any of these side effects bother you or do not go away.

See the patient information leaflet for a complete list of known side effects. 

Efracea Warnings and Drug Interactions

Certain medicines may interact with Efracea. Before using this treatment, make sure that you inform your doctor if you are currently taking (or have recently taken) any other form of medication. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.

See the NICE website for more information on medicines that interact with Efracea MR capsules.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Efracea is not suitable for women who are breastfeeding. This medicine may cause permanent teeth discolouration in the unborn baby.

Similarly, it may also cause tooth discolouration and reduce bone growth in any babies who are being breastfed. For this reason, mothers who are breastfeeding should not use Efracea for long periods.

If you are currently breastfeeding or pregnant, are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant, please make sure you speak to your doctor before using Efracea.

For more information on taking Efracea during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Efracea Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Doxycycline monhydrate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Efracea online in the UK?

How long should I take Efracea?

You should take Efracea for up to 16 weeks, although you should talk to your doctor if you have been using it for six weeks and have not seen any improvement in your symptoms.

Can you drink alcohol with Efracea?

Alcohol may make doxycycline less effective, so you should limit how much alcohol you consume while taking Efracea. Alcohol can also trigger Efracea flare-ups.

Is doxycycline a powerful antibiotic?

The potency of doxycycline is determined by the dose you are prescribed and the course of treatment. Efracea tablets contain 40mg of doxycycline.

What should I avoid while taking doxycycline?

While taking Efracea, you should wait for at least 3 hours after taking the medicine before you consume any dairy products. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines before using Efracea.

Is doxycycline a steroid?

No, doxycycline is classed as a broad-spectrum tetracycline-class antibiotic.

How should I store Efracea?

Store this medicine in a cool dry place, out of the sight and reach of children.