Doxycycline belongs to a group of antibiotics called tetracyclines. These are NOT related to penicillins. It is used to treat a wide range of infections including: - Chest, lung or nasal infections (such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis) - Infections of the kidneys and bladder (such as cystitis, urethritis) - Infections of the skin (such as acne) - Eye infections - Sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia) - Malaria, when chloroquine is not effective - Traveller’s diarrhoea - Other infections such as cholera, brucellosis, leptospirosis (an infection caused by water contaminated with animal urine)
Please seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following side effects: - symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips , tongue, hands or feet or a worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus –
Other side effects that you might notice after using this drug are: - Nausea - Diarrhoea – please see above - Developing ulcers - Loss of appetite - A yeast infection - Sensitivity to sunlight – you are advised to avoid exposure to sunlight or sunlamps whilst taking this medicine
Do not drive if you experience blurred vision caused by this medicine.
Please inform one of our doctors if any of the above effects occur and become intolerable as it is very important that you do not stop taking the course of medication before it is complete.
Doxycycline is available in the form of capsules and dispersible tablets. The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water or the dispersible tablets dissolved in a small amount of water, preferably whilst standing or sitting. To prevent irritation of the throat/oesophagus, you are advised not to lie down for at least thirty minutes after taking doxycycline.
It can be taken with or without food (or if taken for acne, it is best taken with food) but should any stomach upset occur, this can be aided by taking each dose with food or milk. You should take the doses at approximately the same time each day.
Antacids should not be taking at the same time of day as this medicine as they can reduce the effect of these medicine and they should be taken at least 2 hours apart. Feel free to discuss this with one of our doctors if you have a query about this.
Doxycycline stops bacteria producing their proteins and therefore stops them from replicating and the infection spreading in your body.
It has no activity against viruses and is therefore not effective for viral infections.
In order for the infection to be fully cleared from your body and prevent it returning, it is important that you complete the full course even if symptoms improve or resolve before the course is complete.
Drinking alcohol whilst taking this medicine may make this medicine less effective. It is therefore advised to avoid drinking whilst taking doxycycline.
Please discuss with one of our doctors if taking any of the following medications; penicillins, anti-coagulants, oral contraceptives, sucralfate, anti-epileptics, ciclosporin, methotrexate or phenobarbital.
