Doxycycline monohydrate is an antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections. It can be used in adults and children to treat infections, but it can sometimes cause tooth discoloration in children 8 years and younger. It's also used to treat rosacea.
Doxycycline monohydrate is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:
Lung infections (such as pneumonia)
Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Stomach infections
Severe acne
Anthrax
Plague
Cholera
Rosacea
Doxycycline monohydrate is a tetracycline antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from making certain proteins, which stops them from multiplying and spreading in your body. The way it works to treat rosacea isn't fully known, but it's thought to help lower inflammation.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
decreased appetite
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
feeling of discomfort
headache
hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
hives or welts, itching, or rash
increased thirst
indigestion
inflammation of the joints
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness and soreness of the eyes
redness of the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach cramps
stomach pain or tenderness
swelling of the feet or lower legs
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight loss
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Back, leg, or stomach pains
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
chest pain, discomfort, or burning
cracks in the skin
decrease in vision
difficulty breathing
discoloration of the thyroid glands
double vision
general body swelling
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
loss of heat from the body
lower back or side pain
nosebleeds
pain or burning in the throat
pain with swallowing
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
red, swollen skin
redness or other discoloration of the skin
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
severe nausea
severe stomach pain
severe sunburn
tooth discoloration
unusual bleeding or bruising
vomiting blood
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Available in multiple dosage strengths as both a capsule and tablet
Works well to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including pneumonia and severe acne
First-choice treatment option for rosacea (Oracea only)
Good option if you're allergic to penicillin antibiotics
Must take twice daily to treat most infections
Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause sunburn
Might cause tooth discoloration in children 8 years and younger
Oracea needs to be taken on an empty stomach
Might not be safe in pregnancy
Take each dose of doxycycline monohydrate with plenty of water or other liquids to prevent burning, irritation, and ulcers in your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach).
If you're taking Oracea, take your capsule on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 1 hour before or two hours after meals. Taking it with food can affect how well it gets absorbed and works in your body.
If you're taking Vibramycin monohydrate syrup, make sure to use the measuring syringe or spoon provided by your pharmacist. Don't use household spoons or cups because this might cause you to take the wrong amount.
Antacids containing calcium, aluminum, and magnesium interact with doxycycline monohydrate and affect how well it gets absorbed and works in your body. Examples include Tums or Rolaids. Other medications that interact with doxycycline monohydrate include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and medications containing iron. If you take any of these medications, let your healthcare provider know before starting doxycycline monohydrate.
Doxycycline monohydrate can cause your birth control pills to not work as well. To prevent becoming pregnant, consider using an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, while taking doxycycline monohydrate. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have questions about other forms of birth control.
Doxycycline monohydrate can interact with blood thinners and raise your risk of bleeding. Examples of blood thinners include warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). For your safety, your healthcare provider might lower the dose of your blood thinner while you're taking doxycycline monohydrate.
Doxycycline monohydrate can sometimes cause vaginal yeast infections because it gets rid of good bacteria in your vagina that typically prevent yeast infections. If you have a history of frequent yeast infections, let your healthcare provider know before starting doxycycline monohydrate. Don't take any medications to treat your yeast infection before discussing with your provider.
Avoid spending too much time in the sun or using tanning beds while taking doxycycline monohydrate, since it can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen before going outside to reduce your risk of sunburn.
If you have to take doxycycline monohydrate for a long time, your healthcare provider might perform routine blood tests to make sure your labs are within the normal range. Doxycycline monohydrate can lower your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are all necessary to build a strong immune system and to fight infections. Let your provider know if this concerns you.
If you experience severe diarrhea or watery, bloody stools while taking doxycycline monohydrate or anytime after you stop, contact your provider.
Doxycycline monohydrate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Children 8 years and younger | Pregnancy | Long-term use or repeated use of doxycycline monohydrate
Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline monohydrate, can cause permanent tooth discoloration and yellow, gray, or brown staining of teeth in babies and young children under the age of 8. It can also cause thinning of the teeth (enamel hypoplasia) and affect growth and development of teeth in children. The risk is higher with long-term use of the medication or with repeated short-term courses. The risk is also higher during the second half of pregnancy. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or your child is younger than 8 years old, avoid using doxycycline monohydrate unless it's absolutely necessary to treat a life-threatening infection. Speak with your provider about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Risk factors: Use of multiple antibiotics | Long-term use of antibiotics | Older age | History of colon or gut problems
Antibiotics, such as doxycycline monohydrate, can cause severe diarrhea known as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (commonly known as C. diff). Antibiotics get rid of the good bacteria in your gut and change the normal conditions of your gut and colon. This leads to the growth of bacteria like C. diff. This can happen anytime while you're taking doxycycline monohydrate and even over two months after you stop taking the antibiotic. C. diff diarrhea can become life-threatening if it isn't treated properly. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have diarrhea, loose or watery stools, fever, stomach pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Risk factors: Women of childbearing age who are overweight or have history of high pressure in the brain | Taking isotretinoin with doxycycline monohydrate | Taking other medications that raise pressure in the brain
Doxycycline monohydrate can cause high pressure in your brain, a condition called intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri. The chances are higher in women of childbearing age who are either overweight or have a history of high pressure in the brain. The risk is also higher if you take doxycycline monohydrate with isotretinoin (Absorica). It usually goes away after you stop taking doxycycline monohydrate, but it can cause permanent vision loss. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have a headache, dizziness, blurred vision, swelling inside your eye, double vision, vision loss, or any vision changes.
Risk factors: Pregnancy | Women of childbearing age | Premature babies
Avoid using doxycycline monohydrate if you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant because it can cause serious harm to your unborn baby. Doxycycline monohydrate can cross the placenta and have harmful effects on the growth and development of your unborn baby's teeth and bones. It can also affect bone growth when given to babies who were born early. Pregnant women shouldn't take doxycycline monohydrate unless it's absolutely necessary.
Risk factors: Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light
Doxycycline monohydrate can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause serious sunburns. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight by wearing sun-protective clothing, such as hats. Apply sunscreen or sunblock lotion before going outside, even on cloudy days. You should also avoid tanning beds while taking doxycycline monohydrate. If you notice skin redness, irritation, or sunburn, stop taking doxycycline monohydrate and let your healthcare provider know.
Make sure to take your dose of doxycycline monohydrate with plenty of water and avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes afterwards. This is because if the medication is stuck in your esophagus, there's a risk that it can cause irritation and damage, and sometimes ulcers ,in the esophagus. Let your provider know right away if you start to feel pain or a burning sensation in your throat or chest. If your esophagus is damaged, then your provider might ask you to stop taking doxycycline monohydrate.
Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline monohydrate, have been associated with autoimmune problems (when your immune system attacks parts of your body). Let your provider know if you experience fever, rash, joint pain, or if you're feeling unwell while taking this medication.
Doxycycline monohydrate can cause some areas on your skin to become darker, including your nails, skin, and eyes. Contact your provider if you notice any skin changes.
Like other antibiotics, using doxycycline monohydrate can lead to overgrowth of other bacteria or fungi. This can lead to a new infection, such as a vaginal yeast infection. Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, or vaginal itching, discharge, or odor.
Risk factors: Asthma
Doxycycline monohydrate syrup (Vibramycin) contains a sulfite that can cause allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). If you have trouble breathing after taking this medication, get emergency medical help right away.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
60ml of 25mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $17.51 | $17.51 |
Infections: Your dose will depend on your condition. You should take the medication exactly as prescribed by your provider. In general:
Adults and children weighing 45 kg or more: The typical dose is 200 mg by mouth on day 1 (either 100 mg every 12 hours OR 50 mg every 6 hours), followed by 100 mg per day OR 50 mg every 12 hours. For more severe infections, you might need to take 100 mg by mouth every 12 hours.
Children (weight less than 45 kg) with severe or life-threatening infections: The typical dose is 2.2 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours.
Children 8 years and older (weight less than 45 kg) with less severe infections: The typical dose is 4.4 mg/kg by mouth split into two equal doses on day 1, followed by 2.2 mg/kg per day.
Rosacea (Oracea only):
Adults: The typical dose is one capsule (40 mg) by mouth every morning on an empty stomach.
GoodRx has partnered with PatientsLikeMe to provide reviews on the different aspects of Doxycycline monohydrate.
Learn more about the effectiveness of Doxycycline monohydrate based on real life experiences.
Based on 90 people taking this medication
2.7
2.3
2.7
2.9
3.1
2.3
Severity of side effects
Based on 237 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Nausea
17%
Nausea and vomiting
5%
Diarrhea
5%
Skin sensitivity to sun (photosensitivity)
4%
Upset stomach
3%
Reasons people stopped taking Doxycycline monohydrate
Based on 360 people who have taken this medication
Course of treatment ended
49%
Doctor's advice
20%
Side effects too severe
14%
Did not seem to work
10%
Other
8%
Personal research
2%
Expense
1%
How long people take Doxycycline monohydrate
Based on 186 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Doxycycline monohydrate is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:
Lung infections (such as pneumonia)
Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Stomach infections
Severe acne
Anthrax
Plague
Cholera
Rosacea
Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, and syphilis
Lyme disease
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Severe acne
Anthrax
Plague
Cholera
Bacterial skin infections
Severe acne
Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, syphilis)
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Rickettsial infections (usually from ticks, fleas, or mites), such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus fever
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