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Doxycycline
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pronounced as(dox i sye' kleen)
Why is this medication prescribed?How should this medicine be used?Other uses for this
medicineWhat special precautions should I follow?What special dietary instructions should I
follow?What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?What should I know about storage and disposal of
this medication?In case of emergency/overdoseWhat other information should I know?Brand
names

Why is this medication prescribed?

Doxycycline is used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia and other respiratory tract
infections; Lyme disease; acne; infections of skin, genital, and urinary systems; and anthrax (after
inhalational exposure). It is also used to prevent malaria. Doxycycline is in a class of medications called
tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. Antibiotics will not work
for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should this medicine be used?

Doxycycline comes as a regular and a coated capsule, a tablet, a syrup, and a suspension (liquid), all to
take by mouth. Doxycycline is usually taken once or twice a day. Drink a full glass of water with each
dose of the capsule or tablet. If your stomach becomes upset when you take doxycycline, you may take it
with food or milk. However, taking doxycycline with milk or food may decrease the amount of medication
absorbed from your stomach. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take doxycycline
if your stomach becomes upset. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take doxycycline exactly as directed. Do
not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake the syrup or suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
If you are taking doxycycline for the prevention of malaria, start taking it 1 or 2 days before traveling to an
area where there is malaria. Continue taking doxycycline for 4 weeks after leaving the area where there is
malaria. You should not take doxycycline for the prevention of malaria for more than 4 months.
Continue to take doxycycline even if you feel well. Take all the medication until you are finished, unless
your doctor tells you otherwise.

Other uses for this medicine

Return to top

Doxycycline may also be used for the treatment of malaria. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of
using this medication for your condition.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more
information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Return to top

Before taking doxycycline,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, sulfites
(for doxycycline syrup only), or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking,
especially antacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
carbamazepine (Tegretol), penicillin, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and vitamins.
Doxycycline decreases the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives; another form of birth
control should be used while taking this drug.
be aware that antacids, calcium supplements, iron products, and laxatives containing magnesium
interfere with doxycycline, making it less effective. Take doxycycline 1 hour before or 2 hours
after antacids (including sodium bicarbonate), calcium supplements, and laxatives containing
magnesium. Take doxycycline 2 hours before or 3 hours after iron preparations and vitamin
products that contain iron.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or kidney or liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you
become pregnant while taking doxycycline, call your doctor immediately. Doxycycline can harm
the fetus.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking
doxycycline.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing,
sunglasses, and sunscreen. Doxycycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
you should know that when you are receiving doxycycline for prevention of malaria, you should
also use protective measures such as effective insect repellent, mosquito nets, clothing covering
the whole body, and staying in well-screened areas, especially from early nighttime until dawn.
Taking doxycycline does not give you full protection against malaria.
you should know that when doxycycline is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to
age 8, it can cause the teeth to become permanently stained. Doxycycline should not be used in
children under age 8 except for inhalational anthrax or if your doctor decides it is needed.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Return to top

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Return to top

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a
missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Return to top

Doxycycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go
away:

diarrhea

itching of the rectum or vagina

sore mouth

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

severe headache

blurred vision

skin rash

hives

difficulty breathing or swallowing

redness of the skin (sunburn)

yellowing of the skin or eyes

itching

dark-colored urine

light-colored bowel movements

loss of appetite

upset stomach

vomiting

stomach pain

extreme tiredness or weakness

confusion

decreased urination

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Return to top

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at
room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of
your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or
is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory. Your doctor will want to check your response to
doxycycline.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking
doxycycline.
If you have diabetes, doxycycline can cause false results in some tests for sugar in the urine. Check with
your doctor before changing your diet or the dosage of your diabetes medicine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have
symptoms of infection after you finish the doxycycline, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter)
medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary
supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a
hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names
Return to top

Doryx

Doxychel

Monodox

Oracea

Periostat

Vibra-Tabs

Vibramycin

This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010

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ASHP.

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On this page

About doxycycline
Before taking doxycycline
How to take doxycycline
Getting the most from your treatment
Can doxycycline cause problems?
How to store doxycycline
Important information about all medicines
References

Take doxycycline with plenty of water. Stand or sit up to take your

doses - this will stop the capsules/tablets from causing any irritation to
your throat.
Do not take indigestion remedies, or supplements containing iron,
magnesium, or zinc at the same time as doxycycline.
Make sure you continue to take this medicine until you finish the
course prescribed.
The most common side-effects are stomach upset and diarrhoea.

About doxycycline
Type of medicine

Antibiotic

Used for

Bacterial infections
To prevent malaria

Also called

Efracea; Periostat; Vibramycin-D; Vibrox

Available as

Capsule, dispersible tablet, and modified-release capsules

Doxycycline is an antibacterial medicine. This means that it stops infections caused by bacteria. It is given as a
treatment for a number of different types of infection, including chest and urinary infections, some skin
conditions, sexually transmitted infections, and infections in or around the mouth.
Doxycycline is also used to prevent people from getting malaria when they travel to countries where malaria
occurs. Although doxycycline can only be obtained on a prescription from a doctor, it is not prescribable on
the NHS to prevent malaria. This means that you will be given a private (non-NHS) prescription and you will
be asked to pay the full price for the tablets/capsules if you are taking it for this reason.
Because doxycycline can be given for so many different reasons, it is important that you know why your
doctor is prescribing it for you. You will be prescribed a brand of doxycycline that is appropriate for your
need, as not all brands are suitable for all of these indications.

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Before taking doxycycline
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be
used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking doxycycline it is important that your
doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

If you are under 12 years of age.
If you have ever had an alcohol addiction.
If you have problems with the way your liver works.
If you have systemic lupus erythematosus(this is an inflammatory condition also called lupus or SLE).
If you have myasthenia gravis (this is a condition causing muscle weakness).
If you have porphyria (this is a rare inherited blood disorder).
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to
buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take doxycycline

Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack.
The leaflet will give you more information about the specific brand of doxycycline you have been given,
and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
Take doxycycline exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is likely you will be asked to take one (or
sometimes two) doses a day depending upon the reason for you taking it. Your doctor or pharmacist will
tell you what dose is right for you, and this will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.
If you have been given capsules to take, you must swallow these whole (do not open or chew them).
Take them with a glassful of water to make sure you have swallowed them properly. Make sure that you
take them while you are sitting or standing up so that they do not get caught in your throat and cause
irritation. This also means that you should not take them immediately before you go to bed.
If you have been given dispersible tablets (Vibramycin-D), you should stir these into a small glass of
water to take them.
Do not take indigestion remedies, or supplements containing iron, magnesium, or zinc at the same time
as you take this medicine. This is because doxycycline combines with these things and makes it less
effective. If you need to take these preparations, make sure you leave at least two hours before or after
taking doxycycline before you have them.
If you are taking doxycycline to protect against malaria, you must start taking it 1-2 days before you
travel. This is to ensure there is sufficient medicine in your bloodstream to give you the required

protection. You should continue to take it throughout your stay and for a further four weeks after you
have left the area.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following
day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Your course of treatment may last from a week or so, to several months (depending on what you are
being treated for). Keep taking this medicine until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop by a
doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

Doxycycline may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Avoid strong sunlight
and sunbeds. Use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor on bright days, even when it is cloudy.
This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations,
make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Additional information about protection against malaria:

Doxycycline will help prevent you from getting malaria, but it is also important that you take the
following precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes:
Cover up bare areas of your arms and legs with long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing, long trousers
and socks. This is especially important if you are outside after sunset, as this is when mosquitoes
feed.
Use an effective insect repellant spray on your clothing and any area of your skin which is bare.
Spray the room with an insecticide each evening a couple of hours before you go to bed. Check
your sleeping areas for mosquitoes - pay particular attention to furniture and areas under your bed
where insects can hide.
If you are sleeping in an unscreened room, use a mosquito net impregnated with an insecticide.
If you feel ill or develop a fever or flu-like symptoms while you are travelling or within one year of
returning home, you should see your doctor straightaway. This is important, even if you have taken
doxycycline correctly.

Can doxycycline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone
experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your
doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Possible doxycycline side-effects

What can I do if I experience this?

Stomach upset, indigestion, abdominal pain

Stick to simple foods - avoid rich or spicy meals. Try

taking your doses after a meal or a snack

Diarrhoea

Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If this continues

or is severe, speak with a doctor

Headache

Ask a pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller

Thrush (a yeast infection which causes redness and

itchiness in the mouth or vagina)

Speak with a doctor or pharmacist for advice

Throat irritation

Remember to take your doses with a large glass of water

while you are standing or sitting upright

Important: doxycycline can occasionally cause allergic reactions, such as a skin rash. Speak with a doctor as
soon as possible if this happens.

How to store doxycycline

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this
medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if
it is empty.

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are
taking.

This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Provide Feedback

Further reading & references

Manufacturer's PIL, Doxycycline Capsules 50 mg, 100 mg; Actavis UK Ltd, The electronic Medicines
Compendium. Dated November 2011.
British National Formulary; 64th Edition (Sep 2012) British Medical Association and Royal
Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has
used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care
professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.

Original Author:
Helen Allen

Current Version:
Helen Allen

Peer Reviewer:
Prof Cathy Jackson

Last Checked:
17/01/2013

Document ID:
4029 (v28)

EMIS

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