Doxycycline is an antibiotic that prevents bacterial growth and is known to contain anti-inflammatory effects. This medication can treat many bacterial infections such as acne, respiratory, and various infections, including urinary infections. Apart from that, doxycycline can be used to prevent malaria and treat some infections caused by ticks, mites, etc.
Doxycycline dosage is usually taken orally with water as it’s a capsule. Since it treats all bacteria-related infections, it can be a go-to medication. But despite its usefulness, there are also side effects that come with it. In this guide, you will learn the uses, and side effects, and dosage of doxycycline.
Doxycycline Uses
Doxycycline is a medication for treating bacterial infections. Therefore, doxycycline revolves around treating any infections caused by bacteria. Below are some of the doxycycline uses:
1. Helps treat bacterial infections: Doxycycline is the best remedy for any bacterial infections. Whether it is respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, or STIs like chlamydia, doxycycline is the ideal antibiotic to fight the bacteria.
2. May help cure acne: Sometimes, doxycycline is prescribed to treat mild or severe acne, especially when the other treatments aren’t helping. Doxycycline helps reduce the inflammation and kills the bacteria causing the acne to break out.
3. Aids in treating malaria: Doxycycline can also be used to help treat malaria infections. In areas where malaria is prevalent, the parasite may be susceptible to doxycycline; this medication can be prescribed to help prevent or treat malaria infection.
4. Helpful in treating skin conditions: Another doxycycline uses include curing skin problems. Doxycycline can also help treat certain skin conditions like rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition that is characterised by flushing, facial redness, or acne-like bumps.
5. May help cure gum diseases: If you have periodontitis or gum disease, doxycycline can be a great antibiotic for that. Doxycycline helps reduce inflammation as well as controlling bacterial growth.
Side Effects of Doxycycline
Just like any other medication, doxycycline can also cause some side effects. Besides, not everyone can take this medication. Therefore, talking with your doctor beforehand is essential.
There are various common doxycycline side effects. One major side effect is that after taking the antibiotic, you may have to deal with nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pains. It is recommended to take the medicine with milk or food to help reduce these symptoms.
Also, your throat may become sore. Some may experience yeast infections. This happens when the medication disrupts the natural balance of bacteria in the body, which leads to yeast infections and it commonly affects women.
Another doxycycline side effect is skin reactions. Doxycycline may cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. If accompanied by hives, swelling, or itching, get medical help immediately. Some individuals may also experience headaches after taking doxycycline.
Make sure you discuss doxycycline side effects with your doctor. It’s very rare to get more severe side effects like skin peeling, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and eye, unusual bleeding, etc. But if you experience any unusual condition, seek medical help instantly.
Dosage for Doxycycline
As for the doxycycline dosage, it is advisable to take it according to the doctor’s prescription. Make sure you follow the directions for the prescription. You shouldn’t take the medication in smaller or larger amounts than the recommendation.
Take the medicine with water and ensure more liquid intake through the day. Often, the doxycycline can also be taken with milk or food if you find it upsetting the stomach. Different brands have different instructions about taking them with food.
You can swallow a whole capsule or break it up and sprinkle it into a spoon to make it easier to swallow. But you should swallow it without chewing and don’t keep the mixture to use later. Ensure you take the whole pill. All in all, follow the instructions of your doctor for doxycycline dosage. If you are given liquid medicine, you should measure with a special dose-measuring syringe, spoon, or cup.
At times, doxycycline may be given through an injection. This happens if you’re not able to take it orally. The doctor gives the injection as an infusion into the vein. You should use the medicine for the full prescribed period and you may notice the symptoms clearing with time as you take the medicine.
Skipping the doxycycline dosage is likely to raise the risks of developing infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
Conclusion
That’s all about doxycycline, including the benefits and side effects. This antibiotic is very helpful, especially when facing bacteria-related infections. It’s claimed to work in treating acne, malaria, and all the common infections like UTIs, STIs, etc.
