Doxycycline: what it is for, how to take it and side effects

Doxycycline is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of typhoid fever, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia, for example, as it acts by interfering with the metabolism of bacteria, preventing their proliferation.

This medicine can be in the form of 100 mg tablets, such as the generic “doxycycline hydrochloride” or “doxycycline hyclate”, or with the trade names Vibramycin or Doxyclin, for example.

Doxycycline can be provided free of charge by the SUS or purchased in pharmacies or drugstores, and is only sold with a medical prescription.

What is it for

Doxycycline is indicated for the treatment of:

• Urinary or urethral infections;
• Rectal infections caused by trichomoniasis;
• Infections in the uterus, such as endocervicitis;
• Inflammation in the testicles or epididymis, such as orchiepididymitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Lice fever, typhoid fever, tick fever or rickettsiosis;
• Bacterial conjunctivitis;
• Granuloma inguinal;
• Lyme disease, psittacosis or brucellosis;
• Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, lymphogranuloma venereum or syphilis.

Doxycycline can also be used to treat severe acne or blemishes, bumps and acne-like lesions caused by rosacea, and can also be recommended by a doctor to prevent leptospirosis, cholera and malaria, for example.

The use of doxycycline must be carried out with the advice of an infectious disease specialist, who can indicate the length of treatment according to the type of infection, in addition to evaluating the effectiveness of treatment with doxycycline.

Make an appointment with an infectious disease specialist in the nearest region:

How to drink

Doxycycline should be taken orally, with a glass of water and on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. If stomach irritation occurs, doxycycline can be taken with food or milk.

The dose of doxycycline varies depending on age and includes:

The duration of treatment with doxycycline, as well as the doses, depend on the type and severity of the infection, and should always be indicated and monitored by a doctor.

What to do if you forget to take it

If the person forgets to take the dose at the right time, they should take it as soon as they remember and then readjust the following times according to this last dose, continuing treatment according to the new scheduled times.

Under no circumstances should you double the dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Care during treatment

Some important precautions during treatment with doxycycline are:

• Drink plenty of water while using doxycycline, to reduce stomach irritation and avoid esophageal ulcers;
• Avoid using antacids, laxatives, iron or calcium supplements, or multivitamins for 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking doxycycline;
• Avoid exposure to the sun or tanning beds, as doxycycline can increase the risk of skin burns;
• Use sunscreen, with at least SPF 30, while using doxycycline, even on cloudy days;

Furthermore, you should avoid using medications yourself and carry out treatment with doxycycline for the time recommended by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve quickly.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of doxycycline are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, poor digestion, stomach pain, headache, sensitivity to light, lack of appetite, blurred or blurred vision, tooth discoloration, or ringing in the ears.

Additionally, doxycycline may increase the risk of vaginal candidiasis, with symptoms of itching, irritation, or vaginal discharge.

It is important to see your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience symptoms such as watery or bloody diarrhea, little or no urine, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever or chills.

You should go to the hospital immediately if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, a feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, or hives. Know how to identify the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Who shouldn’t use

Doxycycline should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under 8 years of age.

Furthermore, this remedy should not be used by people who are allergic to doxycycline or other antibiotics in the tetracycline class, such as minocycline, tetracycline or tigecycline, for example.