Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats bacterial infections and STIs such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea.

Doxycycline is approved by the FDA and is sold in tablet, capsule, and liquid form. It is available as a generic drug and under various brand names.

At SpeedyHealth, our doctors are able to prescribe 100mg of Doxycycline capsules after you complete an online consultation.

In the US, chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with a staggering 1.6 million cases reported back in 2021. If left untreated, it can affect reproductive health, cause ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus is outside of the womb), and infertility.

Doxycycline treats STIs such as chlamydia by stopping the STI-causing bacteria from growing and multiplying. The medicine binds to the bacteria’s protein-producing unit, the 30S ribosomal subunit, and prevents it from producing protein essential for survival and stopping its growth.

As Doxycycline targets bacterial infections, there are multiple benefits of taking it to treat illnesses and diseases, for example:

• It is an effective and recommended treatment for infections such as STIs, acne, and more.
• It is an easy-to-take antibiotic. As prescribed, take one pill with a glass of water.
• It can be used as a preventative medicine: Doxycycline is also used as a preventative medicine (Doxy-PEP) to prevent STIs from recurring.
• It can be taken in different ways. Suppose you find it difficult to swallow the capsules. In that case, you can take Doxycycline by opening the capsules and emptying the contents into a glass containing cold or room-temperature applesauce and drinking it.

Doxycycline is highly effective for treating chlamydia. A 2021 study explored whether Doxycycline helps treat rectal chlamydia in men having sex with men.

The study involved 177 participants who were diagnosed with rectal chlamydia. All participants were men who had sex with men. Seventy participants were given Doxycycline for 7 days, and 65 participants were given a single dose of Azithromycin for a day.

At the 4-week follow-up, the results showcased just how effective Doxycycline is.

Another study involved 416 women. Out of this, 319 women suffered from both rectal and vaginal chlamydia, 22 women suffered from only rectal chlamydia, and 75 women had only vaginal chlamydia. The women were either given 100 mg Doxycycline twice a day for 7 days or a 1 gm single dose of Azithromycin.

At the 4-week follow-up visit, the results showed that, once again, Doxycycline is a much more reliable treatment choice than Azithromycin.

At SpeedyHealth, Doxycycline is available in 100 mg capsules. To treat chlamydia, the recommended Doxycycline dosage is one 100 mg capsule orally twice a day for 7 days.

Before taking Doxycycline, make sure you:

• Take the capsule at the same time each day for best results.
• Take the capsule on a full stomach with a glass of water.
• Do not lie down for at least one hour after taking Doxycycline. This will help you avoid unnecessary irritation in the throat.

If you miss a dose of Doxycycline, take it as soon as you remember it. Take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

If you find it tough to swallow Doxycycline capsules, place the capsule in a bowl, add a few teaspoons of water, crush the capsule in it, and stir well. You can also add some applesauce to the mixture and drink it.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

Once you start taking Doxycycline for STIs, you will usually begin to feel better within 7 to 10 days. It is also important to complete the full course of Doxycycline as prescribed, even if your symptoms start to get better. Stopping the treatment early can cause the infection to return.

If your infection worsens or you develop a new infection, seek medical attention.

Depending on your condition, you must take Doxycycline for as long as the doctor has prescribed it. However, the usual treatment course for chlamydia with Doxycycline lasts for 7 days.

Do not stop taking Doxycycline in the middle of treatment, as this can cause unwanted side effects, or the infection may return. It may also make the bacteria more resistant to other antibiotics.

If you are concerned about the treatment duration or any of the medicine’s side effects, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Like other medicines, Doxycycline may cause side effects.

Common side effects:

• Sensitivity to sunlight.
• Nausea.
• Stomach pain.
• Yeast infection.

Serious side effects:

• Wheeziness or difficulty breathing.
• Swelling of the face, lips, or eyelids.
• Severe diarrhea with blood.
• Skin rash.
• Severe headache, blurred vision, or permanent vision loss.
• Blisters on the skin, eyes, and genitalia.

Rare side effects:

• Feeling anxious.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ear.
• Bowel inflammation.
• Liver inflammation and damage.
• Jaundice or pancreatic inflammation.

If you experience any serious or rare side effects, or if your side effects get worse or do not resolve, seek medical attention. To know more about Doxycycline side effects, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

While Doxycycline is generally a safe medicine, it might not be suitable for everyone.

Who can take Doxycycline?

You can take this medicine if you are an adult who has had unprotected sex and wants to reduce the risk of getting STIs such as chlamydia.

Alternatively, you can take Doxycycline if you are an adult suffering from STIs and are looking for an effective treatment.

Who cannot take Doxycycline?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Doxycycline or any other ingredients present in this medicine.

You should also speak to your doctor before taking Doxycycline if any of the following apply to you:

• you have kidney or liver problems
• you have myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness)
• you have porphyria (a rare blood pigment disease)
• you have or have had systemic lupus erythematosus (a condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes, and fever)
• you have syphilis
• you are taking oral retinoids

While Doxycycline can be useful in treating several bacterial infections, there are a few things you can do to ensure it remains effective:

Store Doxycycline at or below 77℉. Keep it out of reach of children and pets and away from direct heat and sunlight. Store it in a dry place, and do not use it past the expiry date.

Do not throw away unused or expired capsules in your garbage bin or flush them down your toilet. Instead, take them to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of them.

Your capsule may become discolored or deteriorate over time. If that happens, please contact us for further advice.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

No, you cannot buy Doxycycline over the counter. This antibiotic is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

If you need a prescription, you can complete our short consultation form. If one of our doctors approves it, you will receive your prescription electronically.

Yes, you can buy Doxycycline online from SpeedyHealth. All you need to do is:

• Complete a quick online consultation for Doxycycline. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form to ensure the medicine is right for you.
• Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued to you.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the medicine in discreet packaging and send you the tracking details. We offer free doorstep delivery, so you do not have to pay for shipping.

Your privacy is our top priority. SpeedyHealth uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with USA medical standards to maintain confidentiality.

Doxycycline is generally preferred for treating chlamydia as it is highly effective. If Doxycycline is not suitable for you, Azithromycin is a good alternative.

Doxycycline vs Azithromycin

Both Doxycycline and Azithromycin are effective in treating STIs. However, Doxycycline is slightly more effective, has milder side effects, and is less expensive than Azithromycin.

Doctors also do not recommend Azithromycin any longer for bacterial infections due to its bacterial resistance, which makes Doxycycline the better option.

Here’s why you should choose SpeedyHealth to manage your medicines easily:

• Our licensed doctors help manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• No face-to-face consultations or lengthy wait times for medication approvals. At SpeedyHealth, everything is handled online, and all information is kept confidential.
• Our dedicated customer support team is ready to help you at the click of a button.
• You can manage your prescriptions easily through our secure platform.