1. Doxycycline oral tablet is available as both a generic and brand-name drug. Brand names: Acticlate, Doryx, Doryx MPC.
  2. Doxycycline comes in three oral forms: a tablet, a capsule, and a suspension. It also comes as a solution for injection, which is only given by a healthcare provider.
  3. Doxycycline oral tablet is used to treat infections and severe acne. It’s also used to prevent malaria.

Doxycycline oral tablet can cause side effects. Some are more common, and some are serious.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of doxycycline can include:

  • loss of appetite
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • sensitivity to the sun
  • hives
  • temporary discoloring of adult teeth (goes away with dentist cleaning after the drug is stopped)

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug does not cause drowsiness.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Symptoms can include:
    • severe diarrhea
    • bloody diarrhea
    • stomach cramping and pain
    • fever
    • dehydration
    • loss of appetite
    • weight loss
  • High blood pressure inside your skull. Symptoms can include:
  • Irritation of your esophagus or ulcers in your esophagus (may be more likely if you take your dose at bedtime). Symptoms can include:
    • burning or pain in your chest
  • Anemia
  • Pancreatitis. Symptoms can include:
    • pain in your upper abdomen, or pain in your abdomen that moves to your back or gets worse after you eat
    • fever
  • Serious skin reactions. Symptoms can include:
    • blisters
    • peeling skin
    • a rash of small purple spots

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

  • Permanent change of tooth color warning: This drug may cause permanent changes in tooth color in children if it’s used during tooth development. This time includes the last half of pregnancy through 8 years of age. Children’s teeth may change to yellow, gray, or brown.
  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea warning: This drug may cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This can range from mild diarrhea to severe infection of the colon. In rare cases, this effect can be fatal (cause death). If you have severe or persistent diarrhea, tell your doctor. They may stop your treatment with this drug.
  • Intracranial hypertension warning: This drug may cause intracranial hypertension, or high blood pressure inside your skull. Symptoms may include headache, blurry vision, double vision, and vision loss. Tell your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. You may also have swelling inside of your eyes. Women of childbearing age who are overweight have a higher risk of this condition. If you’ve had intracranial hypertension before, your risk is also higher.
  • Severe skin reaction warning: This drug can cause serious skin reactions. These include conditions called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Symptoms can include blisters, peeling skin, and a rash of small purple spots. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking this drug and call your doctor right away.
  • Reversible delayed bone growth: This drug may prevent bone growth in children if taken by the mother during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. It may also prevent bone growth in children if taken up to the age of 8 years. This delayed bone growth is reversible after stopping the drug.
  • Photosensitivity warning: This drug may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it usually is. Having exposure to sunlight for short periods of time may cause skin rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn. If you’re taking this drug, try to stay out of direct sunlight. If you can’t, be sure to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

Doxycycline oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name drugs Acticlate, Doryx, and Doryx MPC. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Doxycycline tablets come in immediate-release and delayed-release forms. Doxycycline also comes in two other oral forms: capsule and solution. In addition, doxycycline comes in a solution for injection, which is only given by a healthcare provider.

Why it’s used

Doxycycline is used to treat bacterial infections. These can include some sexually transmitted diseases, skin infections, eye infections, respiratory infections, and more. It is also used as an add-on treatment for severe acne and to prevent malaria in people who plan to travel to areas with certain strains of malaria.

This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

How it works

Doxycycline belongs to a class of drugs called tetracyclines. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by blocking a bacterial protein from being made. It does this by binding to certain units of the protein. This stops the protein from growing and treats your infection.

Doxycycline oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with doxycycline are listed below.

Drugs that you should not use with doxycycline

Do not use these drugs with doxycycline. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:

  • Penicillin. Doxycycline may interfere with how penicillin kills bacteria.
  • Isotretinoin. Taking isotretinoin and doxycycline together can increase your risk of intracranial hypertension.

Interactions that can make your drugs less effective

When you take doxycycline with certain drugs, doxycycline may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of doxycycline in your body may be decreased. Examples of drugs that can cause this type of interaction include:

  • Antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium, bismuth subsalicylate, and iron-containing preparations
  • Seizure drugs such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin

Interactions that can increase side effects

Taking doxycycline with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. An example of a drug that could cause this type of interaction is:

  • Warfarin. Your doctor may decrease the dosage of your warfarin if you need to take it with doxycycline.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Doxycycline oral tablet comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Doxycycline can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it or other tetracyclines. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interaction warning

Foods that contain calcium may block the amount of this drug that’s absorbed by your body. This means it may not work as well to treat your condition. Some foods that are high in calcium include milk and cheese. If you eat or drink these items, do so at least one hour before taking this drug or one hour after taking this drug.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For women of childbearing age who are overweight: You have a higher risk of high blood pressure inside of your skull from this drug. Ask your doctor if this drug is right for you.

For people with a history of intracranial hypertension:You have a higher risk of high blood pressure inside of your skull from this drug. Ask your doctor if this drug is right for you.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: There are no adequate studies on the use of doxycycline in pregnant women.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Ask your doctor to tell you about the specific risk to the pregnancy. This drug should only be used if the potential risk to the pregnancy is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Doxycycline passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: This drug may cause tooth discoloration at the time teeth are developing.

This drug should not be used in children who are 8 years of age or younger unless the potential benefit outweighs the risk. In these children, its use is recommended for the treatment of severe or life-threatening conditions such as anthrax or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and when no other treatments are available or have been shown to work.

This dosage information is for doxycycline oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

The dosage information below is for the conditions that this drug is most often prescribed to treat. This list may not contain all conditions that your doctor can prescribe this drug for. If you have questions about your prescription, talk with your doctor.

Forms and strengths

Generic: Doxycycline

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 20 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg
  • Form: delayed-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Brand: Acticlate

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg

Brand: Doryx

  • Form: delayed-release oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 75 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg

Brand: Doryx MPC

  • Form: delayed-release oral tablet
  • Strength: 120 mg

Dosage for infection

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

Generic immediate-release:

  • Typical dosage: 200 mg on the first day of treatment, taken as 100 mg every 12 hours. This is followed by 100 mg daily. For more severe infections, 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended.

Doryx and Acticlate:

  • Typical dosage: 200 mg on the first day of treatment, taken as 100 mg every 12 hours. This is followed by 100 mg, taken as a single daily dose or 50 mg every 12 hours. For more severe infections, 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended.

Doryx MPC:

  • Typical dosage: 240 mg on the first day of treatment, taken as 120 mg every 12 hours. This is followed by 120 mg, taken as a single daily dose or 60 mg every 12 hours. For more severe infections, 120 mg every 12 hours is recommended.

Child dosage (ages 8–17 years)

Generic immediate-release and Acticlate:

  • For children who weigh less than 99 pounds (45 kg) and have severe or life-threatening infection such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever: The recommended dosage is 2.2 mg/kg every 12 hours.
  • For children who weigh less than 99 pounds (45 kg), are older than 8 years, and have less severe infection: The recommended dosage on the first day of treatment is 4.4 mg/kg, divided into two doses. After that, the daily maintenance dosage should be 2.2 mg/kg, given as a single dose or divided into two daily doses.
  • For children weighing 99 pounds (45 kg) or more: Use adult dosage.

Doryx:

  • For children who weigh less than or equal to 99 pounds (45 kg): The recommended dosage is 4.4 mg/kg divided into two doses on the first day of treatment. This is followed by 2.2 mg/kg given as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.
  • For more severe infection: Doses of up to 4.4 mg/kg may be used.
  • For children weighing more than 99 pounds (45 kg): Use adult dosage.

Doryx MPC:

  • For children who weigh less than 99 pounds (45 kg) and have severe or life-threatening infection such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever: The recommended dosage is 2.6 mg/kg every 12 hours.
  • For children who weigh less than 99 pounds (45 kg), are older than 8 years, and have less severe infection: The recommended dosage on the first day of treatment is 5.3 mg/kg, divided into two doses. After that, the daily maintenance dose should be 2.6 mg/kg, given as a single dose or divided into two daily doses.
  • For children weighing 99 pounds (45 kg) or more: Use adult dosage.

Child dosage (ages 0–7 years)

It has not been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people who are younger than 8 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for malaria prevention

Adult dosage (ages 18-64 years)

Generic immediate-release, Doryx, and Acticlate:

  • Typical dosage: 100 mg daily. Begin therapy 1 to 2 days before travel to the area with malaria. Continue daily treatment for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Doryx MPC:

  • Typical dosage: 120 mg daily. Begin therapy 1 to 2 days before travel to the area with malaria. Continue daily treatment for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Child dosage (ages 8–17 years)

Generic immediate-release, Doryx, and Acticlate:

  • Typical dosage: 2 mg/kg once daily, up to the adult dose. Begin therapy 1 to 2 days before travel to the area with malaria. Continue daily treatment for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Doryx MPC:

  • Typical dosage: 2.4 mg/kg once daily, up to the adult dose. Begin therapy 1 to 2 days before travel to the area with malaria. Continue daily treatment for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Child dosage (ages 0–7 years)

It has not been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in children younger than 8 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Doxycycline oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your infection will likely not go away. If you’re taking it for malaria prevention, you won’t be protected against certain infections. This may be fatal.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. You may feel better before you finish your course of treatment, but you should keep taking your medication as directed. Skipping doses or failing to complete the full course of treatment may reduce how well your treatment works. It may also cause antibiotic resistance. This means that your infection won’t respond to doxycycline or other antibiotics in the future.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body and experience more side effects. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. If you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. Doing so could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms may start to improve and you may feel better.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes doxycycline oral tablet for you.

General

  • You can take this drug with or without food
  • You can cut the oral tablet, but do not crush it. If you can’t swallow the delayed-release tablet whole, you can break it up and sprinkle it onto applesauce. Take the mixture right away and swallow without chewing it.

Storage

  • Store this drug at room temperature between 69°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Sun sensitivity

This drug can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase your risk of sunburn. Avoid the sun if you can. If you can’t, be sure to apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

Insurance

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.