The Doxycycline drug contains Doxycycline Hyclate as its active ingredient (100mg is present per tablet/capsule). Take the dosage as recommended by your doctor, because this medicine is used for a bunch of other medical conditions too, apart from sexually transmitted infections.

The usual dose for treating sexually transmitted infections is 100mg take twice a day for 7-10 days. If you forget to take your dose, do take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, then do not take a double dose. Skip the forgotten one and continue with the next one as usual. If you end up taking more Doxycycline than recommended, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Take Doxycycline with a full glass of water. Avoid taking the medicine before bedtime as it may cause throat irritation. Also, do not take any indigestion remedies for a duration of two hours before or after this medicine as it may reduce its effectiveness.

During the course of taking Doxycycline, it is recommended that you stop taking any supplements which contain zinc, iron, aluminium, calcium or magnesium. These may have a negative impact on the effectiveness of Doxycycline.

Use Doxycycline with caution if:

• liver problems
• oesophagitis
• kidney problems
• an autoimmune disease, like lupus
• myasthenia gravis

Doxycycline is not suitable for the patients who:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics in the past
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Doxycycline
• May be exposed to high UV rays such as sunbathing or excessive sunlight
• Have pre-known kidney or liver problems
• Have conditions such as myasthenia gravis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, porphyria
• Have stomach problems which result in diarrhoea

Common side effects of the medicine include:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Thrush in women
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light (It is recommended that you avoid sunbeds or sun exposure during treatment)

Here’s a list of medicines that you must disclose to your doctor before taking the medicine:

• Other antibiotics
• Supplements which contain aluminium, iron, calcium, magnesium, bismuthor zinc
• Antacids
• Retinoids – for various skin conditions
• Warfarin and other blood thinners
• Quinapril – for high blood pressure
• Kaolin – for diarrhoea
• Rifampicin – for tuberculosis
• Ergotamine or methysergide – for headaches or migraines
• Methoxyflurane – an anaesthetic
• Methotrexate – for psoriasis, cancer or rheumatoid arthritis
• Antiepileptics drugs, such as carbamazepine or phenytoin
• Ciclosporin – for adjusting the body’s immune response after an organ transplant surgery

Can You Drink Coffee While On Doxycycline?

Coffee is an acidic drink. Tetracycline antibiotics like Doxycycline are already highly acidic in nature, and acidic beverages will further increase acidity and have side effects such as heartburn, jitteriness, headache and more. Hence, it is recommended to avoid such beverages while taking the medicine.

How Quickly Will Doxycycline Work?

It takes about a week to 14 days to clear up the infection with chlamydia.

Is It Safe To Take Whilst Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?

No, you should not take Doxycycline during pregnancy or when you are breastfeeding.

Should I Get Retested After Taking Doxycycline?

Yes, you should get retested after 3 months to ensure that the infection is gone.

How Long After Stopping Doxycycline Can I Drink Alcohol?

You can drink alcohol 48 hours after stopping the medicine.

Can I Take Doxycycline If I Am Allergic To Penicillin?

Yes, Doxycycline is not a penicillin-type drug.

How Long Does Doxycycline Stay In Your Body After You Finish Your Prescribed Amount?

It takes about 16 to 22 hours for the system to eliminate Doxycycline after you stop taking the medicine.