What is Doxycycline: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 12, 2021  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Doxycycline overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Vibramycin Hyclate, Vibramycin Calcium, Targadox, Oracea, Okebo, Morgidox 2X100MG, Morgidox 1X100MG, Monodox, Mondoxyne NL, Doryx MPC, Acticlate, Doryx, Avidoxy, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak 1/150

Generic Names:

  • Doxycycline

Uses:

  • Treats and prevents infections. Also used to prevent malaria and treat rosacea or severe acne. This medicine is a tetracycline antibiotic.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Dental Agent, Antiprotozoal, Antimalarial, Antibiotic, Amebicide, Amebicide, Intestinal, Antiacne

Forms:

  • Delayed Release Tablet, Tablet, Liquid, Long Acting Capsule, Delayed Release Capsule, Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Doxycycline used for?

Oracea is a tetracycline antibiotic that comes in capsule form and is used to treat bumps, blemishes, and acne-like lesions caused by rosacea. It works by reducing inflammation of the skin caused by rosacea. You should not use Oracea if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Common Oracea side effects may include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and loss of appetite.

What form(s) does Doxycycline come in

  • Delayed Release Tablet

  • Tablet

  • Liquid

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Delayed Release Capsule

  • Capsule

What are common Doxycycline doses?

  • Capsule 40mg

Common Doxycycline prescriptions

  • Doxycycline
    40mg capsule

  • Doxycycline
    40mg capsule delayed release

How to take Doxycycline

  • Delayed-release capsules: You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the open capsules onto cold, soft applesauce. Do not lose any pellets when transferring the contents. Swallow this mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not store the mixture for later use. You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Delayed-release tablets: You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the broken tablets onto room-temperature applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not store the mixture for later use. You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Oral liquid: Shake the bottle well just before each use. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Tablets: You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation. To break a tablet, hold the tablet between your thumb and index fingers close to the appropriate scored line. Then, apply enough pressure to snap the tablet segments apart. Do not use the tablet if it does not break on the scored lines.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid throat problems, if you take the capsule or tablet form.

  • Malaria prevention: Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before you travel. Take the medicine every day during your trip. Keep taking it for 4 weeks after you return. However, do not use the medicine for longer than 4 months.

  • Do not use this medicine for more than 9 months if you are using it for rosacea.

  • Use only the brand of medicine your doctor prescribed. Other brands may not work the same way.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

  • Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you need to take this medicine with or without food. Some forms can be taken with food or milk, but others must be taken on an empty stomach.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Capsule: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open it.Oracea® capsules: This medicine must be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.Acticlate® Cap capsules: You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.

  • Delayed-release tablets: You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the broken tablets onto room-temperature applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not store the mixture for later use. You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Do not use this medicine for more than 9 months if you are using it for rosacea.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Delayed-release capsules: You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the open capsules onto cold, soft applesauce. Do not lose any pellets when transferring the contents. Swallow this mixture right away. Do not chew it. Do not store the mixture for later use. You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Malaria prevention: Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before you travel. Take the medicine every day during your trip. Keep taking it for 4 weeks after you return. However, do not use the medicine for longer than 4 months.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Tablets: You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation. To break a tablet, hold the tablet between your thumb and index fingers close to the appropriate scored line. Then, apply enough pressure to snap the tablet segments apart. Do not use the tablet if it does not break on the scored lines.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

  • Use only the brand of medicine your doctor prescribed. Other brands may not work the same way.

  • Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you need to take this medicine with or without food. Some forms can be taken with food or milk, but others must be taken on an empty stomach.

  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid throat problems, if you take the capsule or tablet form.

  • Oral liquid: Shake the bottle well just before each use. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Capsule: Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open it.Oracea® capsules: This medicine must be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.Acticlate® Cap capsules: You may take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Doxycycline contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or another tetracycline antibiotic, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Doxycycline warnings

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Birth control pills may not work as well when used together with this medicine. Use a second form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, or an allergy to sulfites. Tell your doctor if you had surgery on your stomach, or if you have a history of yeast infections.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Permanent change in tooth color (in children younger than 8 years of age)Serious skin reactions, including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)Increased pressure inside the headYeast infectionImmune system problems

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Doxycycline interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how doxycycline works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Bismuth subsalicylateAcne medicines (including isotretinoin)Birth control pillsBlood thinner (including warfarin)Medicine for seizures (including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)Medicine that contains aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or iron (including an antacid or vitamin supplement)Medicine to treat psoriasis (including acitretin)Penicillin antibioticStomach medicine

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, or an allergy to sulfites. Tell your doctor if you had surgery on your stomach, or if you have a history of yeast infections.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Permanent change in tooth color (in children younger than 8 years old)Increased pressure inside the headYeast infectionImmune system problems

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Doxycycline side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea that may contain blood

  • Severe headache, dizziness, vision changes

  • Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches

  • Burning, pain, or irritation in your upper stomach or throat

  • Joint pain, unusual tiredness or weakness

  • Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, or yellow skin or eyes

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat

  • Darkening of your skin, scars, teeth, or gums