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doxycycline monohydrate
Used for Acne, Bacterial Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Malaria, Pneumonia, Rosacea, Typhoid, Upper Respiratory Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Used for Acne, Bacterial Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection, Malaria, Pneumonia, Rosacea, Typhoid, Upper Respiratory Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Doxycycline monohydrate is an antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections. This can include certain respiratory tract infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Doxycycline monohydrate can also be used to treat acne. It comes as a tablet, capsule, and liquid that's taken by mouth once or twice a day. Some side effects include nausea and stomach pain. Doxycycline monohydrate can be used in adults and children, but it has a risk of tooth staining in young children whose teeth are still developing.
What is Doxycycline monohydrate?
What is Doxycycline monohydrate used for?
- Respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia
- Rickettsial infections (usually from ticks, fleas, or mites), such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, chancroid, gonorrhea, and syphilis
- Certain urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Certain other bacterial infections, such as plague, cholera, and anthrax
- Severe acne
How Doxycycline monohydrate works
Doxycycline monohydrate is a tetracycline antibiotic. It stops bacteria from making proteins they need to grow and survive. This keeps the bacteria from growing and spreading in your body.
For acne, doxycycline monohydrate works in the same way to get rid of bacteria that can cause acne on your skin.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Monodox |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Tetracycline antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Doxycycline monohydrate essentials
Side effects of Doxycycline monohydrate
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Low appetite
- Skin rash
Less Common Side Effects
- Swollen tongue
- Trouble swallowing
- Esophagus problems (inflammation or ulcer)
- Vaginal yeast infection
Doxycycline monohydrate serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Infectious diarrhea (Clostridium difficile-related diarrhea: severe or watery diarrhea, foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, stomach cramps, nausea, fever
- High pressure around the brain: headache, dizziness, blurred vision, vision changes, blind spots
- Serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the face or tongue
- Serious skin reaction: round, red, violet, or brown skin patch; blistering
When do Doxycycline monohydrate possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Diarrhea
Nausea
Sensitivity to the sun
The following Doxycycline monohydrate side effects have also been reported
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.
Pros and cons of Doxycycline monohydrate
Pros
- Treats many types of bacterial infections
- Can also help with severe acne
- Can be an option for some people with a penicillin allergy
Cons
- Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause sunburn
- Can interact with some antacids and supplements
- Not recommended during pregnancy or for young children
Pharmacist tips for Doxycycline monohydrate
- Take doxycycline monohydrate for the full amount of time your prescriber tells you to, even if you start to feel better. Stopping too soon can cause the infection to come back and lead to antibiotic resistance. This can make future infections harder to treat.
- You can take doxycycline monohydrate with or without food. Food doesn't greatly affect how much doxycycline your body absorbs. But some healthcare professionals might suggest taking it apart from dairy products. It's possible for the calcium in dairy to lower the amount of doxycycline your body absorbs. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you should separate dairy from your dose.
- Take doxycycline monohydrate with a full glass of water. This helps keep the medication from irritating or damaging your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). Tell your prescriber if you have pain or burning in your throat or chest after taking it.
- Don't take certain antacids or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) too close to your doxycycline monohydrate dose. Space them out by a few hours. Products that contain calcium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum can lower how much doxycycline your body absorbs. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure how to time these products with your dose.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Doxycycline monohydrate can interact with some medications. For example, it can raise the risk of bleeding if you take a blood thinner. Also, certain seizure medications can also lower the amount of doxycycline in your body and make it work less well. Your care team can check that your medications are safe to take together.
- Avoid too much direct sunlight and don't use tanning beds while taking doxycycline monohydrate. This antibiotic can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so you can get a sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen when you're outside.
- If you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant while taking doxycycline monohydrate: Tell your prescriber. This antibiotic might harm an unborn baby's developing bones. Your prescriber can discuss the risks and benefits with you and see if another antibiotic is a better option.
Tips for the doxycyclin liquid:
- Shake the bottle well before each dose. The medication can settle at the bottom, so shaking helps mix it evenly.
- Use the oral syringe or dosing spoon from the pharmacy. Don't use household spoons because this might cause you to take the wrong amount of medication.
- Store the doxycycline liquid at room temperature. Throw away any medication that's left after 2 weeks.
More on Doxycycline monohydrate tips
Risks and warnings for Doxycycline monohydrate
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.
Diarrhea from Clostridiodes difficile infection
Antibiotics, such as doxycycline monohydrate, can change the normal bacteria in your gut. This can let harmful bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) grow too much and cause a serious infection. This infection can lead to severe diarrhea, even up to 2 months after you stop the antibiotic.
It's important to know the difference between mild diarrhea from doxycycline monohydrate and serious diarrhea from C. diff. Signs of a C. diff infection include fever, nausea, severe or watery diarrhea, foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, or bloody stool. Get medical help right away if you have any signs of this infectious diarrhea. This can be a medical emergency and should get treated as soon as possible.
High pressure around the brain
- Risk factors: People who can get pregnant and are considered overweight | People who can get pregnant and have history of high pressure in the brain | Also taking isotretinoin
Tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline monohydrate have been linked to having high pressure around the brain. This is called intracranial hypertension. Your risk might be higher risk if you can become pregnant and are considered overweight or have had this problem before. Avoid taking doxycycline monohydrate with the acne medication isotretinoin, since it can also cause this problem.
The pressure usually gets better after you stop doxycycline monohydrate. But it can stay high for several weeks. In some cases, it can cause permanent vision loss. Call your prescriber right away if you have headaches or vision changes, such as blurry vision, double vision, or vision loss. You'll need an eye exam right away if you have vision changes.
Sensitivity to sunlight
Doxycycline monohydrate can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This means you might get a sunburn more easily. Protect your skin by wearing sun-protective clothing and using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you're outside. Avoid tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light while taking doxycycline monohydrate. Stop taking doxycycline monohydrate and tell your care team if your skin becomes red or looks sunburned.
Problems with developing teeth
- Risk factors: Taking during the last half of pregnancy | Children age 8 years and younger | Taking doxycycline monohydrate for a long time | Taking several short courses of doxycycline monohydrate
Doxycycline monohydrate can affect teeth while they're still developing. This can happen in an unborn baby if it's taken during the second half of pregnancy. It can also happen in children younger than 8 who take the antibiotic.
Doxycycline monohydrate can permanently stain developing teeth yellow, gray, or brown. This is more common with long-term use, but it can also happen after several short courses. The antibiotic can also cause problems with tooth enamel. This can affect how strong the teeth are.
Because of these risks, this antibiotic should usually be avoided during the second half of pregnancy and in children ages 8 and younger. For children, it might still be needed to treat certain serious infections, especially if there are no other treatment options. Talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of taking doxycycline monohydrate.
Effects on developing bones during pregnancy and infancy
- Risk factors: Currently pregnant | Premature babies
Avoid taking doxycycline monohydrate if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Animal studies found that tetracycline antibiotics can harm an unborn baby's growing bones. Your prescriber might use doxycycline monohydrate during pregnancy only if it's needed. Tell your prescriber right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
Other tetracycline antibiotics can also affect bone growth in premature babies. This effect might go away after the medication is stopped. The prescriber will decide if doxycycline monohydrate is safe for a premature baby.
Doxycycline monohydrate dosage
The average cost for 14 capsules of 100mg of Doxycycline monohydrate is $13.65 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 21.82% off the average retail price of $17.46.
Typical dosage for Doxycycline monohydrate
General dosages for most infections
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Adults and children weighing 99 lbs or more: The typical starting dose is 200 mg by mouth on the first day, split into smaller doses. After that, the typical dose is 100 mg per day, taken once a day or as 50 mg every 12 hours. For more serious infections, the dose can be 100 mg every 12 hours.
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Children older than 8 who weigh less than 99 lbs with less serious infections: The prescriber will calculate the dose based on your child's weight. The typical starting dose is 4.4 mg/kg by mouth on the first day, split into 2 doses. After that, the typical dose is 2.2 mg/kg per day, taken once a day or split into 2 doses.
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Children weighing less than 99 lbs with severe or life-threatening infections: The prescriber will calculate the dose based on your child's weight. The typical dose is 2.2 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours.
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The prescriber will tell you how long to take doxycycline monohydrate. This depends on the type of infection and how serious it is.
Recommended dosages for certain infections
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Gonorrhea: The typical dose for adults is 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 7 days. Another option is two 300 mg doses taken 1 hour apart.
-
Syphilis: The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth per day, split into smaller doses, for at least 10 days.
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Chlamydia: The typical dose for adults is 100 mg by mouth twice a day for at least 7 days.
-
Inhaled anthrax after exposure
- Adults and children weighing 99 lbs or more: The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 60 days.
- Children weighing less than 99 lbs: The typical dose is 2.2 mg/kg by mouth twice a day for 60 days.
More on Doxycycline monohydrate dosage
Doxycycline monohydrate reviews
GoodRx has partnered with to provide reviews on the different aspects of Doxycycline monohydrate.
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Doxycycline monohydrate based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 90 people taking this medication
2.7
Effectiveness by condition:
Lyme disease58 reviews
2.3
acne12 reviews
2.7
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus9 reviews
2.9
pneumonia6 reviews
3.1
hidradenitis suppurativa5 reviews
2.3
Side effects
Learn more about the side effects others have reported while taking Doxycycline monohydrate.
Severity of side effects
Based on 237 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Based on 237 people taking this medication
Nausea
17%
Nausea and vomiting
5%
Diarrhea
5%
Skin sensitivity to sun (photosensitivity)
4%
Upset stomach
3%
Usage
Review why people stop taking this medication and how long they take it.
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 who have taken this medication
0%
50%
100%
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Interactions between Doxycycline monohydrate and other drugs
Doxycycline monohydrate may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Doxycycline monohydrate. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Doxycycline monohydrate interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Ascorbic Acid
- Bacampicillin
- Bexarotene
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cloxacillin
- Desogestrel
- Dicloxacillin
- Dienogest
- Drospirenone
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etretinate
- Gestodene
- Isotretinoin
- Levonorgestrel
- Mestranol
- Methicillin
- Methotrexate
- Methoxyflurane
- Nafcillin
- Nomegestrol
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Oxacillin
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin G Benzathine
- Penicillin G Procaine
- Penicillin V
- Piperacillin
- Pivampicillin
- Porfimer
- Sultamicillin
- Temocillin
- Tretinoin
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.
- Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Phosphate
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Calcium
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
- Iron
- Magaldrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Trisilicate
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
How much does Doxycycline monohydrate cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Doxycycline monohydrate contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Doxycycline monohydrate will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to other tetracycline antibiotics, such as minocycline or tetracycline
What are alternatives to Doxycycline monohydrate?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Doxycycline monohydrate. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Used for:
Doxycycline hyclate is used to prevent malaria due to the parasite Plasmodium falciparum and to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:
$10.44View prices
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Doxycycline monohydrate images
