Doxycycline is a prescription-only antibiotic that belongs to the class of drugs known as tetracycline antibiotics. Doxycycline kills or inhibits the growth of many infection-causing microorganisms. Thus, Doxycycline is widely prescribed to treat various infections and diseases like pneumonia, skin and eye infection, infection of the intestine, genital, and urinary systems.  Doxycycline is clinically proven to be an effective prophylaxis treatment for Malaria. Adults and children above 12 years of age can safely use Doxycycline for the prevention of Malaria.

Doxycycline is available as a 100mg capsule to be consumed orally with water. Adults and children above 12 years of age can take 100mg doxycycline daily, 1-2 days before travelling to the malarial area as prophylaxis. Thereafter, continue the daily dose of 100mg doxycycline throughout your travel duration and four weeks post-travel to the malarial area. Doxycycline should not be used beyond four months.

Prophylaxis usage of doxycycline capsule reduces the risk of getting Malaria by almost 90% when consumed as per the prophylaxis schedule and following other precautions for avoiding mosquito bites.

Malaria is a parasitic protozoan disease, and Doxycycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic having antiprotozoal activity. Doxycycline enters the bacterial lipidic cell wall and inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. Studies confirmed that Doxycycline is an effective blood schizonticidal agent that means effectively kills the blood stage of the malarial parasite, i.e., the erythrocytic stage of Malaria.

Doxycycline is a low cost and highly effective prophylactic medicine for the prevention of Malaria. When used with appropriate precautions for mosquito bites in the malarial region, daily consumption of doxycycline capsule offer 90% safety from catching up Malaria.

Consult your doctor before consuming Doxycycline and follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. Doxycycline is available as a capsule and is to be taken orally with a whole glass of water. Do not lie down 30 min after consuming the doxycycline capsule. Try to consume capsules at the same time daily and as instructed by the doctor or physician. In case of stomach upset, a doxycycline capsule can be consumed after a meal or with milk.

• How often should capsules be taken?

  For malaria prophylaxis, take a 100mg doxycycline capsule daily with a glass of water.

• When should I start treatment?

  For malaria prophylaxis, initiate the therapy 1-2 days before travelling and continue consuming it daily throughout your stay or travel in the malarial area.

• How long when leaving the risk area?

  Continue consuming Doxycycline 100mg capsule for four weeks after leaving the malaria area. However, the doxycycline capsule should not be used over four months.

Doxycycline prophylaxis dosage: 100mg doxycycline capsule orally, daily with a glass of water till four weeks after returning.

Doxycycline malarial treatment dosage, when chloroquine is ineffective- 200mg doxycycline daily for seven days.

• Prior to doxycycline usage, inform your doctors if, 
  • You are allergic to Doxycycline or have a history of allergic reactions to antibiotics.
  • You are allergic to any ingredients used in the Doxycycline Capsules.
  • You are expecting or trying to conceive a child.
  • You are a lactating or breastfeeding mother.
  • You are likely to have exposure to strong sunlight or ultraviolet light.
  • You have a history of liver problems or consuming other medicines that may affect the liver.
  • You are suffering from severe kidney disease.
  • You have myasthenia gravis or porphyria or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as Doxycycline may adversely affect these disease conditions.
  • You have stomach or intestinal problems or suffering from diarrhoeal disease.
  • You have a history of developing diarrhoea on the consumption of Doxycycline.
  • You have an active syphilis disease.
  • You are consuming oral retinoids.
  • Doxycycline can cause permanent teeth discolouration. Hence,  Doxycycline should be avoided during the early tooth development phase i.e., pregnancy, infancy or in children below 8 years of age.
• Inform your doctor about other medicines you are consuming like rifampicin, warfarin, retinoids, quinapril, oral contraceptives, barbiturates, ergotamine, carbamazepine, ciclosporin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane and antacids.
• Alcohol reduces the efficacy of Doxycycline; hence it is better to avoid drinking alcohol during doxycycline therapy.
• It is better to avoid driving or machine usage during doxycycline therapy as it may blur the vision.

If you are pregnant, do not take Doxycycline. Also, you should avoid getting pregnant as long as you are taking doxycycline capsules. If you are suffering from vaginal yeast infection and you are taking other antibiotics, avoid taking Doxycycline. 

Doxycycline is prescribed for malaria prevention. However, Doxycycline is not suitable as a malaria prevention drug for all parts of the world. So, check with your doctor or pharmacist about the best possible antimalarial drug ideal for the region you are planning to visit. Also, refer to British National Formulary for current malarial guidelines, geographical resistance patterns and appropriate chemoprophylaxis.

Doxycycline capsules may cause some side effects, but everybody will not get them. Side effects are not common, but some patients may get severe.

You should stop taking Doxycycline capsules of 100 mg and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you see any of the below mentioned side effects:

• Chest pain, fever, wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling on face, lips, or eyelids.
• Rash and itching all over the body.
• Stomach upset, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhoea.
• Headache, body ache, a disturbing vision like blurred or double, or loss of vision.
• Dryness of mouth and throat irritation.
• Redness and itching of mouth and vagina due to yeast infection.
• Increased seating and feeling of anxiety.

Keep doxycycline capsules out of sight and reach of children. Store the medication below 25°C in a dry place. Always check the expiry date of Doxycycline capsules before consuming. DO not use the medicine after the expiry date. The expiry date is the last day of that month.

Do not dispose of the medicine in wastewater or household waste. Always check with your pharmacists about how to dispose of the medications that you do not need. Your pharmacist will give you instructions for the disposal of Doxycycline capsules that will not harm the environment.

You can buy Doxycycline capsules 100 mg online. Buy Doxycycline online from a trusted online pharmacy, MedsNow, with proper medical online consultation with our experienced doctors and pharmacists. Alternatively, you can procure an independent prescription as well. The medication will be delivered conveniently to your doorstep. It is good to have online consultation because it will ensure that Doxycycline is the correct medicine for your medical problem.

How long can you take Doxycycline for Malaria?

When you travel to malaria-risk regions, your doctor will advise you to take Doxycycline 100mg once a day, preferably in the morning. Start taking doxycycline capsules one or two you’re you start travelling. Continue taking medicine as long as you are staying in a malaria-risk area. After returning from the malaria-risk site, carry on taking medication for one more month. Discuss your complete travel plan and duration of stay in a malaria-risk area with your doctor or pharmacist for the best guidance. 

What happens if I stop taking Doxycycline for Malaria?

You should complete the course on doxycycline capsules as directed by your doctor. Do not stop in between, even if you feel better. If you stop the treatment in-between, you may get an infection. If you stop the treatment early, you will not be protected against Malaria. In such a case, your risk of catching the infection increases. Therefore, always consult your doctor before stopping the treatment of Doxycycline for Malaria.

What is the safest anti-malaria medication?

Many safe medicines are used as antimalarials. Your doctor or pharmacist will decide the best suitable antimalarial medicine. Based on your health condition and the malaria-risk region you plan to visit, your doctor will prescribe the best anti-malaria medication.