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Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a brand of Doxycycline.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline should be us.

Checked against the official label · Updated

Prescription medicine Oral

How to use Doxycycline

What the official label says. If a doctor prescribed it, follow the prescription. Your pack's leaflet comes first if it is different.

Who it is for

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy. …

How to take it and how often
  • The usual dosage and frequency of administration of doxycycline differs from that of the other tetracyclines
  • Exceeding the recommended dosage may result in an increased incidence of side effects
  • Adults: The usual dose of oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day
  • In the management of more severe infections (particularly chronic infections of the urinary tract), 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended
  • Pediatric Patients: For all
  • Pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg with severe or life-threatening infections (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), the recommended dosage is 2.2 mg/kg of body weight administered every 12 hours
  • Children weighing 45 kg or more should receive the adult dose. (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS .) For pediatric patients with less severe disease (greater than 8 years of age and weighing less than 45 kg), the recommended dosage schedule is 4.4 mg/kg of body weight divided into two doses on the first day of treatment, followed by a maintenance dose of 2.2 mg/kg of body weight (given as a single daily dose or divided into twice daily doses)
  • For pediatric patients weighing over 45 kg, the usual adult dose should be used
  • The therapeutic antibacterial serum activity will usually persist for 24 hours following recommended dosage
  • When used in streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for 10 days. …
Children
  • Because of the effects of drugs of the tetracycline-class on tooth development and growth, use doxycycline
  • In pediatric patients 8 years of age or less only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in severe or life-threatening conditions (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), particularly when there are no alternative therapies. (See WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .)
Talk to a doctor first if

This drug is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines.

Medicines it may not mix with

Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron-containing preparations. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by bismuth subsalicylate. Barbiturates, carbamazepine, and phenytoin decrease the half-life of doxycycline. …

Warnings

The use of drugs of the tetracycline class during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-gray-brown). This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drugs, but it has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Use doxycycline in pediatric patients 8 years of age or less only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in severe or life-threatening conditions (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), particularly when there are no alternative therapies. …

Possible side effects

Due to oral doxycycline's virtually complete absorption, side effects of the lower bowel, particularly diarrhea, have been infrequent. The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines: Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions (with monilial overgrowth) in the anogenital region, and pancreatitis. Hepatotoxicity has been reported rarely. These reactions have been caused by both the oral and parenteral administration of tetracyclines. Superficial discoloration of the adult permanent dentition, reversible upon drug discontinuation and professional dental cleaning has been reported. …

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on the use of doxycycline in pregnant women. The vast majority of reported experience with doxycycline during human pregnancy is short-term, first trimester exposure. There are no human data available to assess the effects of long-term therapy of doxycycline in pregnant women, such as that proposed for treatment of anthrax exposure. …

If you take too much

In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures. Dialysis does not alter serum half-life and thus would not be of benefit in treating cases of overdosage.

If you miss a dose

Take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Then skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for it. Check your leaflet, as some medicines are different.

From the official U.S. FDA label for this active ingredient. Your pack may have a different strength, so always read its leaflet. If a doctor prescribed it, follow the prescription. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. Label dated 2026-05-01.

Same medicine, other brands

Products with Doxycycline as the active ingredient. Names differ between countries.

Registered products

United States (FDA)

Doxycycline HyclateDOXYCYCLINE ANHYDROUS 1 kg/kg · Powder · YANGZHOU LIBERTY PHARMACEUTICAL CO. LTD
NDC 71057-3440Label
Doxycycline HyclateDOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE 50 mg/1 · Capsule · Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
NDC 53489-118Label
Doxycycline HyclateDOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE 100 mg/1 · Tablet · Redpharm Drug
NDC 67296-2075Label
DoxycyclineDOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE 100 mg/1 · Capsule · A-S Medication Solutions
NDC 50090-7410Label
Doxycycline HyclateDOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE 150 mg/1 · Tablet, Delayed Release · Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.
NDC 62332-483Label

Nigeria (NAFDAC)

NAFDACDoxycycline 100 mg A4-1948NAFDACDoxycycline Capsules A4-9512NAFDACDoxycycline Capsules C4-1888NAFDACDoxycycline Capsule 100 mg C4-1441NAFDACDoxycycline 100 mg capsules 04-8548NAFDACDoxin 04-3705NAFDACKoyodox B4-3219NAFDACDoxy 200 Tablets B4-7010NAFDACDoxycap Capsules 04-1259NAFDACStridox Capsules A4-4957NAFDACDoxyheal Capsules B4-1276NAFDACDroximicin Capsules A11-0688

Other countries: check your pack's registration number and we point you to your regulator.

Check your pack of Doxycycline

Type the registration number on the pack, or scan it with your camera.

Or take photos of the pack
3 free checks left today Official sources: U.S. FDA · EMA (EU) · Health Canada · WHO alerts

Questions about Doxycycline

What is in Doxycycline?

Doxycycline contains Doxycycline. Other brands with the same active ingredient work the same way; the dose and strength on your pack are what matter.

What is Doxycycline used for?

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of suc (From the official U.S. FDA label.)

How do I take Doxycycline?

Follow your prescription or the leaflet in your pack. The official label says: The usual dosage and frequency of administration of doxycycline differs from that of the other tetracyclines. Exceeding the recommended dosage may result in an increased incidence of side effects. Adults: The usual dose of oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day. In the management…

Do I need a prescription for Doxycycline?

Usually yes. Doxycycline is a prescription medicine in most countries. Rules differ by country.

What brands contain Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is sold under names such as Morgidox, Acticlate, Mondoxyne, Targadox, Vibramycin, Okebo, Doryx, Monodox. Brand names differ between countries.

What are the side effects of Doxycycline?

The official label lists: Due to oral doxycycline's virtually complete absorption, side effects of the lower bowel, particularly diarrhea, have been infrequent. The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines: Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions (with monilial overgrowth) in the anogenita… Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Can children take Doxycycline?

Because of the effects of drugs of the tetracycline-class on tooth development and growth, use doxycycline in pediatric patients 8 years of age or less only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in severe or life-threatening conditions (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), particularly when there are no alternative therapies. (See WARNINGS and… Always use the dose for the child's age or weight on the pack or prescription.

Can I take Doxycycline when pregnant or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on the use of doxycycline in pregnant women. The vast majority of reported experience with doxycycline during human pregnancy is short-term, first trimester exposure. There are no human data available to assess the effects of long-term therapy of doxycycline in pregnant women, such as that proposed… Ask your doctor or midwife first.

What medicines interact with Doxycycline?

Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is imp… Use the free interaction checker before combining medicines.

What happens if I take too much Doxycycline?

In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures. Dialysis does not alter serum half-life and thus would not be of benefit in treating cases of overdosage. Get medical help right away.

How can I check that my Doxycycline is genuine?

Scan the registration number on your pack with PillVera (NAFDAC number in Nigeria, NDC in the United States, DIN in Canada), check the expiry date and buy only from licensed pharmacies.

Sources

This page shows what official sources say, in plain words. It is not medical advice: your prescription and your doctor or pharmacist come first. Brand names, strengths and rules differ between countries.