Doxycycline
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic, available on prescription, that is used to treat or prevent certain bacterial infections and to treat rosacea. The NHS says its most common side effects are headaches and feeling or being sick, that it can make skin sensitive to the sun, and that it is not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect a baby's tooth and bone development.
- Generic name
- Doxycycline
- Active ingredient
- Doxycycline
- Product type
- Small-molecule medicine
- Drug class
- Tetracyclines
- Brand names
- UK Efracea, Vibramycin-D · US Doryx, Oracea
- Routes
- Oral
- Dosage forms
- Capsule, Tablet, Dispersible tablet
- Usual preparations
- Capsules, tablets and dispersible tablets that are dissolved in water first (summary of the cited reference, not a prescription)
- Onset and duration
- With most infections the NHS says people usually feel better within a few days, while rosacea responds more slowly.
- Monitoring
- For rosacea the NHS says a doctor usually reviews progress after some weeks. With warfarin, emc product information for a doxycycline dispersible tablet reports a longer prothrombin time.
Availability by country
| Country | Status | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Prescription only | UK |
Legal status differs between countries and can change; each row cites the document it was taken from and applies only to the country named.
What it is used for
- Chest infections, dental infections and skin infections caused by bacteria
- Sexually transmitted infections and some rarer infections
- Rosacea, a long-term skin condition
- Acne, where MedlinePlus says it acts on bacteria in the pores and reduces skin oil
- Prevention of malaria in people travelling abroad
How it works in the body
Doxycycline belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics. The NHS explains that it stops bacteria from making the proteins they need to survive. For rosacea, MedlinePlus describes a different effect, a reduction in inflammation of the skin.
Common side effects
- Headaches
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Skin that is more sensitive to the sun; NHS advice is to cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses and use a high-factor sunscreen, and NHS England pharmacy guidance also describes avoiding direct sunlight and sunbeds
Serious: seek help
- A serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is rare; the NHS says to call 999 if the lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell or breathing becomes difficult
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, heartburn or chest pain that gets worse with eating, which the NHS lists as possible signs of an inflamed or ulcerated food pipe; the NHS says to call NHS 111 if serious side effects are suspected
- A fingernail starting to come away from its base, which the NHS links to a reaction to sunlight
- Rare effects listed by the NHS include inflammation of the bowel, changes in blood cells, liver problems, pancreatitis and raised pressure around the brain; the NHS says to call NHS 111 if serious side effects are suspected
Cautions and interactions
- The NHS says doxycycline is usually taken by adults and children over 12; for some infections younger children can take it, and it can discolour teeth because it binds to calcium in growing bone and teeth
- Previous allergic reaction to doxycycline or other medicines, kidney or liver problems, an inflamed food pipe (oesophagitis), lupus and myasthenia gravis are listed by the NHS among reasons doxycycline may not be suitable
- It is not recommended during pregnancy because it can affect a baby's tooth and bone development, although a doctor may still advise it when the benefits outweigh the risks.
- For breastfeeding, one NHS page says a short course may be possible once a doctor or health visitor has confirmed the baby is healthy, while another NHS page lists breastfeeding among reasons it may not be suitable; emc product information lists pregnancy and lactation as contraindications
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin, antacids, acne medicines, and iron or zinc supplements are among the medicines the NHS says may not mix well with doxycycline
- The NHS also lists products containing aluminium, bismuth, calcium or magnesium among those to mention to the prescriber, and local NHS leaflets differ on how far apart to space them from doxycycline
- Emc product information says systemic retinoids such as isotretinoin should be avoided with doxycycline, because the combination raises the risk of raised pressure inside the skull
- The NHS says it is best not to drink alcohol with doxycycline because it can stop it working properly
- The NHS says doxycycline does not stop contraception working, but being sick or severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours may reduce the protection of contraceptive pills
Interactions
Check interactions
Taking Doxycycline with other medicines? Add them to the checker to see what the official sources say about each pair: the mechanism, general management and monitoring, never a bare "safe".
Interactions documented in the official sources cited on each card. The list covers the medicines represented on this site and is not exhaustive; how the interaction data is compiled.
No pair records for this medicine are in the sources currently represented by Anatomy Nexus. Absence from this list does not mean no interaction exists.
Same-class and related medicines
Related medicines
Medicines often discussed alongside Doxycycline: used together, compared with it, or acting on the same problem by a different route.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type of medicine | Tetracycline antibiotic |
| Availability in the UK | Prescription only |
| Forms | Capsules, tablets and dispersible tablets |
| Main uses | Bacterial infections, rosacea and malaria prevention |
| Common side effects | Headaches, feeling or being sick, sensitivity to the sun |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Not recommended in pregnancy; breastfeeding advice varies, so a doctor or health visitor decides |
| Alcohol | Best avoided, as it can stop doxycycline working properly |
What is doxycycline used for?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic, a medicine that treats or prevents certain infections caused by bacteria. In the UK it is available only with a prescription. The NHS lists chest infections, dental infections and skin infections among the problems it treats, together with rosacea, sexually transmitted infections and some rarer infections. It can also be used to prevent malaria in people travelling abroad, and people taking it for that reason are not expected to feel any different.
MedlinePlus adds that it is used for acne, where it acts on the bacteria in the pores and lowers the amount of oil on the skin.
How does doxycycline work and how is it taken?
Doxycycline belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics. The NHS explains that it stops bacteria from making the proteins they need to survive. In rosacea, MedlinePlus describes a different benefit, a reduction in inflammation of the skin. With most infections people usually start to feel better within a few days, while rosacea responds more slowly and is normally reviewed by a doctor after some weeks.
Doxycycline comes as capsules, tablets and dispersible tablets, which are dissolved in water before they are taken. The NHS describes swallowing capsules and standard tablets whole with water and staying upright for a while afterwards. The NHS says taking it after a meal or snack, or with a drink of milk, may ease feeling sick. The NHS stresses that finishing the whole course matters, even when symptoms have eased.
What are the side effects of doxycycline?
The NHS says the most common side effects are headaches and feeling or being sick. Doxycycline can also make the skin sensitive to the sun. The NHS advises covering up, wearing a hat and sunglasses and using a high-factor sunscreen. NHS England pharmacy guidance also describes avoiding direct sunlight and ultraviolet light, including sunbeds and sun lamps. A fingernail that starts to come away from its base is listed among the serious effects and is linked to a reaction to sunlight.
The NHS lists pain or difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, heartburn and chest pain that worsens with eating as possible signs of an inflamed or ulcerated food pipe. The NHS says to call NHS 111 if serious side effects are suspected. Serious allergic reactions are rare, and the NHS says to call 999 if the lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell or breathing becomes difficult. Other rare effects include inflammation of the bowel, changes in blood cells, liver problems, pancreatitis and raised pressure around the brain.
Who needs extra care with doxycycline?
The NHS says doxycycline is usually taken by adults and children over 12, and that younger children can take it for some infections. It can discolour teeth because it binds to calcium in growing bone and teeth. A previous allergic reaction to doxycycline or another medicine, kidney or liver problems, an inflamed food pipe (oesophagitis), lupus and myasthenia gravis are listed as reasons it may not be suitable. The NHS says a penicillin allergy is not a barrier, because doxycycline belongs to a different class of antibiotic.
The NHS does not recommend doxycycline during pregnancy because it can affect a baby's tooth and bone development, although a doctor may still advise it when the benefits outweigh the risks. For breastfeeding, one NHS page says a short course may be possible once a doctor or health visitor has confirmed the baby is healthy, while another NHS page lists breastfeeding among reasons it may not be suitable. Emc product information is stricter and lists pregnancy and lactation as contraindications. The NHS says doxycycline does not stop any type of contraception from working, but being sick or severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours may reduce the protection of contraceptive pills.
Doxycycline with other medicines and alcohol
The NHS says anticoagulants such as warfarin, antacids, acne medicines, and iron or zinc supplements may not mix well with doxycycline. The NHS also lists products containing aluminium, bismuth, calcium or magnesium among those to mention to the prescriber, and local NHS leaflets differ on how far apart they should be spaced from doxycycline. Emc product information says systemic retinoids such as isotretinoin should be avoided with doxycycline, because the combination raises the risk of raised pressure inside the skull. With warfarin, emc product information for a doxycycline dispersible tablet reports a longer prothrombin time, a measure of how quickly blood clots. The NHS says it is best not to drink alcohol with doxycycline because it can stop it working properly. Apart from alcohol, the NHS says people can eat and drink normally while taking it.
Frequently asked questions
Does doxycycline stop contraception from working?
The NHS says doxycycline does not stop any type of contraception from working. The exception is being sick or having severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, which may mean contraceptive pills do not protect against pregnancy.
Can people drink alcohol while taking doxycycline?
The NHS says it is best not to drink alcohol with doxycycline, because alcohol can stop it working properly. Apart from that, it says people can eat and drink normally while taking it.
Does doxycycline make skin more sensitive to the sun?
Yes, the NHS says doxycycline can make the skin sensitive to the sun and advises covering up and using a high-factor sunscreen. NHS England pharmacy guidance also describes avoiding direct sunlight and sunbeds.
Can doxycycline be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The NHS does not recommend it during pregnancy because it can affect a baby's tooth and bone development, though a doctor may still advise it when the benefits outweigh the risks. For breastfeeding, one NHS page says a short course may be possible once a doctor or health visitor has confirmed the baby is healthy, while another lists breastfeeding as a reason it may not be suitable.
How quickly does doxycycline start to work?
For most infections the NHS says people usually feel better within a few days, though the full course still matters. Rosacea responds more slowly and is usually reviewed by a doctor after some weeks, and people taking it to prevent malaria are not expected to feel any different.
Can people with a penicillin allergy take doxycycline?
The NHS says people allergic to penicillin can take doxycycline, because it belongs to a different class of antibiotic. A previous allergic reaction to doxycycline itself is a reason it may not be suitable.
Connected pages in detail
What each linked page on Anatomy Nexus covers, in a line, for Doxycycline.
Symptoms
- Headache Pain felt anywhere in the head.
- Nausea The unpleasant sensation of being about to vomit.
- Vomiting Forceful emptying of the stomach through the mouth, a protective reflex run by the brainstem that closes the airway.
Medical tests
- Prothrombin time and INR The prothrombin time measures how many seconds plasma takes to clot once the tissue-factor pathway is triggered.
Medications
- Azithromycin A macrolide antibiotic that stops bacteria making proteins, given as a short course (often three days) for chest, ear, sinus.
- Warfarin The long-established oral anticoagulant that blocks vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
Drug classes
- Tetracyclines Tetracyclines are a group of antibiotics that stop bacteria from making the proteins they need to survive.