Doxycycline: Effects, Uses & Risks

Doxycycline is an antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections in the body, where they have a specific effect that prevents the pathogens from reproducing.

What is doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is used for a wide variety of infections. Doxycycline is classified in the group of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This means that it is effective at different points in the body, so it can prevent a wide range of bacterial pathogens from growing. It is used for infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and uro-genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, as well as skin diseases, biliary tract infections and diseases caused by Chlamydia as well as Borrelia. Streptococci, staphylococci, and pneumococci do not fall within the scope of doxycycline, despite its broad-spectrum activity, because the response of these pathogens to this agent is rather unfavorable.

Pharmacologic Action

Doxycycline has a growth-inhibiting effect, which means that the groups of pathogens that are sensitive to the active ingredient can then no longer multiply and die, so that the site or organ affected by an infection is gradually freed from the pathogen and can resume normal function. In the prompt context, the inflammation caused by the disease also disappears, since the doxycycline means that there are no longer any bacteria to fight off.

Medical application and use

Doxycycline is prescribed primarily in tablet form for outpatient treatment. It should be taken with plenty of water, never with milk or dairy products- not even with juices, one should keep a distance of at least two hours between taking and consuming dairy products and fruit juices. The calcium contained in milk and often in fruit juice reduces the absorption of the active substance, so that the prescribed dosage is not absorbed and the doxycycline is no longer sufficiently effective. Often the antibiotic acts relatively quickly, depending on the bacterium that is to be treated, and the patient feels a marked improvement in the symptoms experienced after just one or two days. However, it is always necessary to use an antibiotic until the end, that is, the package must be used according to the doctor’s instructions. This is important because despite the improvement of the symptoms, there are usually still some bacteria present. If doxycycline is discontinued too early, the remaining bacteria can again multiply unhindered and a new infection occurs. In addition, under these circumstances, resistance to the active ingredient doxycycline can be developed, so that in the event of a recurrent infection or a new occurrence at a different site where administration would be indicated, it is no longer effective. As a rule, antibiotics should not be used as a preventive measure, because the process of action makes it clear that this usually makes little sense and would therefore be an unnecessary burden on the body. However, in the case of certain diseases, there is the possibility of maintenance therapy to prevent post-infection of particularly persistent pathogens. This maintenance therapy is carried out with a reduced dosage of active ingredient than in the previous therapy.

Risks and side effects

Doxycycline increases the effect of some blood sugar-lowering agents. If taken concomitantly, blood glucose levels should be checked regularly and kept under review. In the long term, blood levels may also be altered, so if use is continued beyond 21 days, it must be taken at frequent intervals to prevent damage. People with severe liver damage should not take doxycycline, as it is predominantly broken down by the liver, where it can cause deterioration. The most common side effects of doxycycline, as with most antibiotics, are mostly in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, nausea, stomach pressure, heartburn or even nausea and often diarrhea may occur. The symptoms generally disappear completely after the end of treatment. If diarrhea persists for a longer period of time after discontinuation of doxycycline, a doctor should be consulted, because it may be an intestinal disease triggered by antibiotics, which could even be life-threatening. The other side effects are changes in the blood count or false sensations and headaches.If hypersensitivity reactions to the drug occur, such as itching, redness of the skin, hives with blistering and wheals, a physician should be consulted, as doxycycline must usually be discontinued as a result.