Efracea

Efracea (40mg doxycycline) modified release hard capsules to treat more severe inflammation in rosacea. Available to buy online from Dr Fox.

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Buy Efracea online in UK

How to order Efracea capsules online for UK delivery:

  1. Read medical information about rosacea treatment
  2. Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
  3. Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (Royal Mail Tracked 24)

Prices

Rosacea treatment Quantity Cost
Efracea (40mg doxycycline) 14 hard capsules (in stock) £18.20
Efracea (40mg doxycycline) 28 hard capsules (in stock) £34.00
Efracea (40mg doxycycline) 56 hard capsules (in stock) £55.40
Efracea (40mg doxycycline) 112 hard capsules (in stock) £104.00

Price match guarantee
Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.

Compare prices: Dr Fox prices are 25%-50% lower cost than other online clinics.

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Comparative costs of Efracea from UK online clinics (30 January 2024) - qualifying notes
*Dr Fox adds a small prescription fee not included in table above.
  1. The prices shown are listed by the online clinics named after a customer first enters consultation information and is offered prescriptions. It is possible these clinics may have special offers or lower prices for repeat supplies.
  2. Prices may change and are, to the best of our knowledge, accurate on the date stated. All products in stock and new condition.
  3. Dr Fox does NOT claim to provide a superior service to any of the online clinics listed. All the clinics listed, as far as we can tell, comply with all regulation and, as far as we can tell, operate to high ethical standards.
  4. Dr Fox adds a small prescription fee not included in the table (between £1 and £4 depending on value of the order).
  5. To amend the information in this table please contact us
  6. The prices listed in the table do not identify the cost of prescription medicine as online clinics charge a single fee to cover services which includes advice, consultations, prescriptions and dispensing and supply of treatments.
  7. Where services include free delivery this is using the slowest delivery option available. Dr Fox uses Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Treatment Dr Fox* UK Meds Medical Specialists Independent Pharmacy
Efracea x 14 £18.20 £26.39 £19.50 £24.99
Efracea x 28 £34.00 £51.69 £35.00 £47.98
Efracea x 56 £55.40 n/a £60.00 £65.95
Efracea x 112 £104.00 n/a £108.00 n/a
UK delivery £2.90 £4.95 £3.45 £4.95

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

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About Efracea

  • Efracea is a prescription-only treatment for moderate to severe papules and pustules in rosacea.
  • Efracea are modified release hard capsules containing 40mg doxycycline.
  • Take one capsule daily in the morning, with a full glass of water, on an empty stomach.
  • Inflammatory lesions and facial redness is improved significantly after 4 weeks of taking Efracea.
  • Read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.

Once daily Efracea capsules

Efracea capsules, for the moderate to severe papules and pustules of rosacea, are available on prescription. They contain a low dose (40mg) of the antibiotic doxycycline from the tetracycline class of antibiotics. Tetracyclines have been used for over 40 years to treat rosacea. At this low dose there is no actual antimicrobial effect and the impact on rosacea is through the anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline. This may also reduce redness. The course is usually 8-16 weeks.

In studies, inflammatory lesions cleared in 80-100% of people after 4 weeks and there was a 50% reduction in redness.

If there is no improvement at 6 weeks then stop taking the capsules.

After finishing the course, some symptoms may recur over the following few weeks. The course can be repeated after a month.

Mirvaso gel can be used for flushing at the same time.

Soolantra cream and Rozex gel/cream for mild papules and pustules work in different ways and can be continued during and after a course of Efracea.

How to take Efracea capsules

Take one capsule daily in the morning, on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after food.

Drink a full glass of water with the capsules. This reduces the risk of oesophagus (gullet) irritation/ulceration.

Some products could reduce absorption of Efracea and it is recommended not to take products that contain calcium (antacids, multi-vitamins, milk and dairy products, and calcium-containing fruit juices), aluminium, magnesium, iron, bismuth, or cholestyramine, activated charcoal, or sucralfate at the same time as taking Efracea. The manufacturers recommend waiting until 2 to 3 hours after taking Efracea.

Can everyone take Efracea capsules?

Do not take if:

  • Reduced stomach acidity, or pre-existing oesophageal irritation/ulceration.
  • Liver disease, colitis, myasthenia gravis, ocular (eye) rosacea.

Efracea contains sucrose but does NOT contain lactose.

Efracea is not to be used as an antibiotic as the dose is not strong enough.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children

Do not take Efracea if pregnant or breastfeeding, or under 12 years old as it affects teeth and bone development.

Sunlight and sunbeds

Sunlight and sunbeds will usually make rosacea worse, but there is also an increased risk of skin reactions if taking Efracea whilst using sunbeds or exposing the skin to strong sunlight.

Efracea and other medications

There is a possibility of interactions with some other medications. Consult your regular doctor if also taking:

  • Warfarin-type anticoagulants (blood thinning tablets requiring regular blood tests).
  • Antacid or medication to reduce stomach acidity, e.g. Gaviscon, sucralfate.
  • Quinapril (blood pressure).
  • Penicillin, amoxicillin or similar, rifampicin (antibiotics).
  • Carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone (epilepsy).
  • Typhoid vaccine oral capsules.
  • Ciclosporin (suppress immunity).
  • Methotrexate (cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis).
  • Retinoids: Roaccutane (isotretinoin), alitretinoin, acitretin (acne, psoriasis or severe rosacea).
  • Lithium (mood stabiliser).
  • Sulphonylurea drugs, e.g. gliclazide (diabetes).
  • Kaolin (diarrhoea).
  • Barbiturate sedatives (e.g. phenobarbital).
  • Methoxyflurane (anaesthetic). If you need an operation, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking doxycycline.

Possible side effects of Efracea

All medications have the potential to cause side effects and these are often dose related. Side effects of Efracea are the same as those found with any dose of doxycycline, but as Efracea contains less than half the dose of a standard doxycycline antibiotic capsule, the risk of side effects is very low.

The most common (up to 1 in 10) reported side effects of doxycycline are:

  • Inflammation of the nose, throat, sinuses.
  • Upper stomach pain - heartburn, nausea.
  • Diarrhoea - if severe, prolonged or bloody speak to your GP immediately.
  • Skin reactions - especially sunlight related.
  • Fungal infection e.g. thrush.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Headache.
  • Anxiety.
  • Back pain.
  • Altered blood test results and blood pressure.

More information on side effects can be found in the manufacturer's patient leaflet.

Patient Information Leaflet

Illustration of patient leaflet from medicine packet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Efracea patient leaflet

Dr Amanda Wood

Authored 19 May 2021 by Dr A. Wood
MB ChB Manchester University 1984. NHS GP in Bristol. GMC no. 2855422

Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 30 January 2024
Last updated 19 March 2024
Editorial policy

References


The order process

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Dr Fox issues prescription online

Pharmacy team post medication direct