What is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat various infections including sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia.
How effective is Doxycycline in treating Chlamydia?
Doxycycline is a highly effective antibiotic for the treatment of Chlamydia. When taken correctly, this antibiotic has been found to be successful in treating Chlamydial infection in up to and above 95% of all cases.
Azithromycin vs Doxycycline for treatment of Chlamydia
Both medications are useful at treating uncomplicated urogenital chlamydia infection. They are both antibiotics but work in different ways. Doxycycline is now recommended as first line treatment for this infection, whilst Azithromycin is an useful alternative for those individuals who cannot tolerate Doxycycline or other Tetracycline antibiotics.
How do I take Doxycycline to treat Chlamydia?
One 100mg capsule should be taken twice a day for one week for the treatment of Chlamydia. You should complete the course, unless told otherwise. It should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water during meals while sitting or standing and should not be taken before going to bed. It should not be taken at the same time as antacids and aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc salts as they may decrease the absorption of Doxycycline.
What are the cautions associated with Doxycycline use?
Although Doxycycline capsules are commonly prescribed in the UK to treat symptoms of Chlamydia, it is still important to check if the medication is suitable for you. Doxycycline should not be used by people suffering with certain medical conditions or those taking certain medications. You should always read the patient information leaflet (PIL) for Doxycycline before taking this medication to ensure it is safe for you to use.
What are the side effects of Doxycycline?
Doxycycline like all medications may cause certain side effects, however not all patients will experience these.
Very common side effects of Doxycycline include:
- Diarrhea, which should be reported if severe or prolonged
- Visual disturbances such as blurring of vision, which if it does occur please avoid driving or operating machinery
- Oesophageal and gastrointestinal reactions including: sore mouth, indigestion, and difficulty swallowing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing noise in the ear)
- Muscle and joint pain
For more information associated with the side effects of this medication, please see the patient information leaflet or contact PostMyMeds.
Does Doxycycline make me more vulnerable to damage for sunlight?
Doxycycline may increase the risk of developing skins reactions due to the sunlight. This is known as photo sensitivity. You should protect your skin from sunlight even on a bright but cloudy day and not use sunbeds and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or sunlamps to reduce the risk of photosensitive reactions.
