Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Thursday reminded the public that doxycycline medication should be taken under a physician’s prescription.
The Department of Health (DOH) issued the warning against the improper use of the antibiotics amid rising incidence of leptospirosis — a bacterial disease often contracted through bacteria-laden floodwaters, which can be deadly if untreated.
On another front, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a low pressure area (LPA) spotted 2,760 kilometers east of Northern Luzon has a fair chance of evolving into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
Doxycycline is commonly recommended for high-risk individuals such as first responders or residents wading through contaminated water.
With climate-related diseases on the rise, the health department said it remains committed to balancing rapid response with long-term medical safety.
Herbosa explained that medical professionals follow a risk-based system to determine whether a patient is low, moderate, or high risk before prescribing the drug.
“It’s very important, this is an antibiotic and it needs a doctor’s prescription,” he said.
“If you take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, you could develop antimicrobial resistance. The leptospira bacteria will become stronger, and the antibiotic will no longer work,” Herbosa said.
The health chief added that dosage and duration depend on a proper medical assessment, which cannot be substituted by self-medication.
Meanwhile, the LPA is expected to generate cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms over Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Aurora province.
The LPA which is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, PAGASA said.
It is expected to cross Luzon between Thursday evening and Friday.
Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are forecast over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Northern Samar.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “DOH warns against self-medicating with ‘doxycycline’ amid leptospirosis surge”
