Doxycycline and Tetracycline Shortage
On February 4, 2013 the State of California Department of Public Health released a notification about recent shortages of Doxycycline and Tetracycline, which may impact your ability to treat or provide prophylaxis for patients.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a shortage of doxycycline on January 18, 2013. Doxycycline is a recommended therapy for some sexually transmitted infections and syndromes including Chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis, epidiymitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is also an alternative therapy for syphilis in patients with a penicillin allergy. Reports were also received of a shortage of tetracycline, which is an alternative to doxycycline for treating certain conditions.
For additional information about the availability of doxycycline or tetracycline including expected dates of resolution for different manufacturers and current distribution allotments please visit the FDC Drug Shortage website and for CDC-recommended and additional STD alternative regimens please consult the 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines or visit this CDC site for updates.