Doxycycline

Doxycycline is an antibiotic, a type of medicine that combats bacteria. It can be used to treat a variety of infections and conditions, including:

• chest infections
• dental infections
• sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• skin conditions, like rosacea
• acne vulgaris

It can also be used to prevent malaria, a serious disease that is carried by mosquitoes in more tropical parts of the world.

Doxycycline comes in the form of a capsule or tablet, which you swallow with water. You can only gain access to this medication with a doctor’s prescription.

Doxycycline is a first-line treatment for moderate to severe acne.

When your pores become blocked with oil (called sebum), this becomes an ideal environment for certain types of bacteria to grow. This bacteria can increase redness, inflammation, and the number of spots you have.

By taking Doxycycline you can reduce the amount of bacteria that’s responsible for breakouts. Over time, this will reduce your acne symptoms and lead to clearer skin.

To treat acne effectively, Doxycycline must be taken alongside a topical anti-acne cream or gel. Due to this, it is often sold in either of the following combination packs:

• Doxycycline capsules + topical azelaic acid (Skinoren)
• Doxycycline capsules + topical adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo)

Antibiotics take some time to work. You’ll likely start noticing improvements in your skin within 4-8 weeks of treatment.

However, it can take as long as 12 weeks for Doxycycline to reach its full effectiveness.

Please note: Consult with your doctor if you haven’t seen any improvements after 12 weeks of treatment. In this case, you may benefit from an alternative treatment such as Lymecyline.

You should always take medication as advised by your doctor. However, below are the recommended instructions for taking Doxycycline.

Doxycycline capsules (for acne) come in a single 100 mg dose. This dose should be taken once per day (preferably in the morning) with a full glass of water, straight after a meal.

Taking the capsule on an empty stomach can cause digestive issues. To further avoid stomach problems, make sure to stay upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the dose. Lying down can prevent the medication from quickly getting to your stomach.

If you take more capsules than you should, contact your doctor or closest hospital immediately. Remember to take the packaged capsules with you.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forgot to take your capsule in the morning, take it as soon as you remember (e.g. around lunchtime).

If you forget your dose all day, skip this dose and take the next one in the morning as usual. Do not double up on capsules to make up for a mixed dose.

Precautions and warnings

Doxycycline can make you more sensitive to sunlight and UV light. When on this treatment, avoid any strong exposure to light (such as tanning beds), and apply more sunscreen than you usually would on sunnier days.

As is the case with all medicines, there is a chance that you will experience some side effects whilst taking Doxycycline. Usually, these are mild and go away once you’ve finished the treatment.

For a full list of potential side effects, consult your patient information leaflet (PIL) that’s included in your medication pack.

Doxycycline is safe for the majority of people to take. However, you may not be suitable for this treatment if:

• you are allergic to doxycycline or any other type of tetracycline antibiotic
• you have kidney or liver problems
• you have a condition called myasthenia gravis
• you have (or have ever had) an autoimmune disease called lupus
• you have porphyria (a rare blood disorder)
• there’s a chance you might have syphilis
• you are taking oral retinoids
• you suffer from stomach/intestinal problems or often get diarrhoea when taking antibiotics

You cannot use Doxycycline if you are pregnant. This is because Doxycycline can affect the tooth development of your baby.

It is not recommended to take Doxycycline while breastfeeding. This is because the medicine can pass into breast milk in small amounts.

Always tell your doctor about any other medication you are taking. Some medications shouldn’t be taken with Doxycycline as they can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Can I drink alcohol whilst taking Doxycycline?

It is not recommended that you drink any alcohol whilst you are taking Doxycycline. This is because it may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

You can buy Doxycycline for acne online at HealthExpress if you have moderate to severe acne.

If you are already using a topical acne cream, you can purchase the capsules by themselves. If not, you will need to purchase a combination pack (containing both capsules and Skinoren/Epiduo gel).