What is doxycycline and its benefits?
In the U.S., doxycycline is a type of antibiotic medicine that can treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. It works by stopping the growth and reproduction of bacteria, which helps to get rid of the infection for most people. Doxycycline is usually taken by mouth as a pill and is absorbed into the body quickly. One brand name for doxycycline is Vibramycin.
For the U.S., doxycycline is used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory acne, or mild inflammatory acne that isn’t getting better with other treatments. Doxycycline is usually used at 100 mg per day for at least 3-6 months, for adults for acne.
Many U.S. patients benefit from generic Vibramycin® (doxycycline) because it treats moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Of course, each person’s result will differ as everyone is different. And, some people may not benefit from doxycycline for acne, especially those with very severe forms of acne. Alternatives to doxycycline include other antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracycline.
Doxycycline is also commonly used in the U.S. to treat a wide range of bacterial infections such as lung infections, bladder infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections.
Brand names for doxycycline in the U.S. include Acticlate, Doryx, Vibramycin, Monodox, Oracea, Doxy 100, and Adoxa.
Food does not significantly affect the absorption of doxycycline.
Who cannot take doxycycline?
- People allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic
- Children younger than 8 years old, because it can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children, unless there is no choice
- Pregnant women and women who may be pregnant, because doxycycline has toxic effects on the fetus
- Women who are nursing, because adverse reactions may happen in nursing infants from long term use of doxycycline
Warnings: possible complications with doxycycline
- You may get C. difficile, a mild to fatal diarrhea that can include fatal large intestine infection
- You may get intracranial hypertension, which is an increased pressure inside the skull, with symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss (possibly permanent)
- You may get sensitivity to sunlight leading to increased risk of getting sunburns or phototoxicity with skin eruptions
- You may get overgrowth or infection by other bacteria or fungi in the body
- You may get throat irritation and ulcers
- You may get increased risk of vaginal yeast infection
- You may get increased risk of bacteria infections not susceptible to doxycycline
- Studies for the cancer causing potential of doxycycline have not been done
Precautions when taking doxycycline
- Avoid sunlight exposure. Use sunscreen and sunblock.
- Drink lots of water with doxycycline to reduce the risk of throat irritation
- Do not take calcium with doxycycline because it reduces doxycycline absorption
- Do not take bismuth subsalicylate because it reduces doxycycline absorption
- Do not use expired or poorly stored doxycycline
Do not use these drugs with doxycycline
- Isotretinoin: may increase the risk of increased pressure inside the skull
- Penicillin: doxycycline can make penicillin less effective
- Antacids, magnesium, iron, calcium, or sodium bicarbonate: can make doxycycline less effective
- Barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin: can make doxycycline less effective
- Methoxyflurane: can cause serious, even fatal, kidney problems
- Blood thinners: doxycycline can affect how blood thinners work
- Birth control pills: doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective
Adverse effects with doxycycline
Doxycycline is generally well tolerated, with few side effects. However, like all antibiotics, it can cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and allergic reactions. Long-term use of doxycycline can lead to photosensitivity and discoloration of the teeth.
Some common side effects in the digestive system include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and inflammation in the mouth or anus. Rarely, doxycycline can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and liver toxicity problems. Esophagitis and ulcers in the esophagus have been reported, especially when the medication is taken right before going to bed.
Skin reactions such as rashes, allergic reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and severe skin conditions like toxic epidermal necrolysis can also occur. Photosensitivity, which makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, is a common side effect.
In some cases, doxycycline can cause kidney toxicity problems and anemia. It can also trigger allergic reactions like swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing, inflammation around the heart (pericarditis). It can make lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) worse. Blood disorders such as low platelets or low white blood cells can also occur with doxycycline.
Intracranial hypertension (IH), which is increased pressure inside the skull, has been associated with the use of tetracyclines.
When taken for long periods of time, doxycycline can cause brown-black discoloration of the thyroid gland, although this does not usually cause problems with thyroid function.
What to do if you experience any serious adverse effects
Get emergency medical help. Call 911 or go immediately to your nearest emergency room.
What to do if you overdose
Stop taking doxycycline. Call 911 or poison control center if you feel unwell.