Doxycycline

Take Doxycycline exactly as directed by your pharmacist, prescriber or the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

For acne, dosing depends on the exact product, strength and clinical protocol being used. Your clinician will confirm the correct dose, frequency and duration for you.

Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. Doxycycline should be taken while sitting or standing, and you should not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking it. This helps reduce the risk of irritation to the throat or oesophagus.

Doxycycline is usually taken with food or fluid for acne to help reduce stomach upset. Avoid taking it at the same time as indigestion remedies, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium or other mineral supplements, as these can reduce absorption. Leave a suitable gap as advised by your pharmacist or patient leaflet.

Do not take extra capsules to speed up results. Taking more than directed can increase the risk of side effects and will not make acne improve faster.

Take the medicine for the course advised by your clinician. Oral antibiotic treatment for acne should be reviewed regularly and should not be continued longer than clinically appropriate.

If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed capsule.

If acne does not improve, worsens, causes scarring, becomes painful or cystic, or affects your mood or confidence significantly, seek clinical review.

Doxycycline Capsules contain doxycycline as the active ingredient.

Common UK capsule strengths include doxycycline 50mg and doxycycline 100mg. Some products contain doxycycline hyclate equivalent to the stated amount of doxycycline.

Other ingredients vary depending on the manufacturer. They may include magnesium stearate, sodium laurilsulfate, maize starch, lactose or sucrose, gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide colourings, quinoline yellow, erythrosine, indigo carmine or other capsule ingredients.

Some doxycycline capsules may contain lactose, sucrose or colourings. If you have sugar intolerance, allergies or have reacted to capsule colourings before, this should be reviewed before supply.

Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your specific medicine, as ingredients can vary between brands and manufacturers.

Some people experience side effects while taking doxycycline. Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhoea, indigestion, loss of appetite, headache and sensitivity to sunlight.

Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds while taking it. Use suitable sun protection and stop treatment and seek advice if your skin becomes red or painful.

Doxycycline can irritate the throat or oesophagus if taken without enough water or if you lie down soon after taking it. Take it with plenty of water and remain upright after each dose.

Stop taking doxycycline and seek urgent medical advice if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, severe rash, fainting or collapse.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe headache with vision changes, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, blood in stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe skin reaction, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or severe abdominal pain.

Doxycycline is not suitable for everyone. Do not take it if you are allergic to doxycycline, tetracycline antibiotics or any ingredient in the capsule.

Doxycycline should not usually be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is also not usually suitable for children under 12 years, as tetracyclines can affect developing teeth and bones.

Do not take doxycycline with oral retinoids such as isotretinoin unless specifically directed by a specialist, as this combination may increase the risk of raised pressure around the brain.

Extra clinical review may be needed if you have liver disease, kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, lupus, previous severe antibiotic reactions, recurrent thrush, inflammatory bowel disease, oesophageal problems, or if you are taking regular medicines.

Tell your clinician about all medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal products. This includes acne medicines, isotretinoin, anticoagulants, epilepsy medicines, antacids, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and other mineral supplements.

Oral antibiotics for acne should be reviewed regularly. Long-term or repeated antibiotic use may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and side effects, so treatment should continue only where clinically appropriate.

Suitability depends on acne severity, previous treatments, age, medical history, current medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, allergy history and clinical assessment. Prescription medicine is supplied only where clinically appropriate.