Doxycycline

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics.

You cannot buy Doxycycline capsules unless they have been prescribed for you.

What is Doxycycline used to treat?

This antibiotic provides effective treatment for a number of bacterial infections.

Doxycycline is recommended as the primary treatment for chlamydia due to the decreased chance of bacterial resistance.

Chlamydia treatment with this medicine normally consists of taking 2 capsules daily (14 capsules in total) over a period of 7 days. Doxycycline is also used to treat gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections.

Furthermore, Doxycycline can be used to treat or prevent various other types of infections, including:

• Tick fever
• Travellers’ diarrhoea
• Ear infections
• Malaria
• Kidney and bladder infections
• Skin infections
• Respiratory infections

It is also prescribed to treat some cases of acne.

Why is Doxycycline prescribed to treat chlamydia?

Clinical studies have shown that Doxycycline is highly effective at treating the symptoms of chlamydia. 

If taken properly, Doxycycline can normally treat chlamydia in just 7 days. 

How does Doxycycline work for chlamydia?

Tetracycline antibiotics like Doxycycline work to treat infections by stopping the harmful bacteria from producing the proteins they need to survive and spread in your body.

By stopping these essential proteins from being produced, the bacteria cannot function in the body and your immune system is able to fight off the infection.

Who can use Doxycycline?

This antibiotic should only be taken by adults and children who are over 12 years of age.

Inform your doctor if you have any of the following, as Doxycycline may not be suitable for you:

• Kidney problems
• Liver problems or you are taking any medication that affects the liver
• You have had an allergic reaction to Doxycycline or other medicines in the past
• It is likely you will be exposed to strong sunlight/ultraviolet light
• Myasthenia gravis
• Inflamed food pipe (oesophagitis)
• Porphyria
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Doxycycline can stain developing teeth and bones. Therefore, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this medication. For the same reason, it should not be given to anyone under the age of 12.

Can you buy Doxycycline over the counter?

Doxycycline is not for sale over the counter. This medication must be prescribed by a health professional.

Can you buy Doxycycline online in the UK?

You can buy Doxycycline online from regulated pharmacies like Medicine Direct. However, before you can order a prescription medicine like this one, you will need to fill out an online questionnaire to make sure it is suitable for you. One of our registered prescribers will review the answers you provide and assess your condition to ensure Doxycycline is the right medicine for you to take.

If you order by 2pm, we can also provide next day delivery.

Do not order any medication online unless it is from a registered UK pharmacy.

Doxycycline alternatives

Azithromycin is the most commonly prescribed alternative treatment for chlamydia if Doxycycline is not suitable for you. In most cases, you will be instructed to take one dose of Azithromycin to treat chlamydia.