Doxycycline for Chlamydia

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections, including chlamydia. It is the first-line treatment for chlamydia, which means it is effective for most people and is always prescribed first, unless there’s a certain reason you cannot take it.

Doxycycline comes as tablets you swallow, and are taken over a 7-day treatment course. It belongs to a class of medications called tetracyclines, which work by preventing bacteria from growing and spreading.

What is doxycycline used for?

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, meaning it can be used to treat a range of infections such as (but not limited to):

• sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia
• skin conditions like acne
• eye infections
• chest, lung or nasal infections
• malaria

Doxycycline works to treat chlamydia by preventing the bacteria from being able to grow and spread. It does this by targeting proteins that the bacteria need to survive. This process eventually kills bacteria that cause chlamydia, treating the source of infection.

How long does doxycycline take to work?

Doxycycline starts working straight away to treat chlamydia and should start inhibiting the growth and spread of the bacteria after the very first dose.

It’ll take around 7 days of taking doxycycline for chlamydia to clear up.

“It is important to take the entire course of treatment of doxycycline, even if your symptoms have gone away or you start to feel better. If you do not finish your course of treatment, your symptoms could return, and the bacteria could become more resistant to future treatment.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor

How effective is doxycycline for chlamydia?

Doxycycline is 95% effective in treating chlamydia when taken correctly.

When can I have unprotected sex after treatment?

We recommend that you wait until the day after finishing your treatment for chlamydia with doxycycline before you have unprotected sex. If your partner is still having treatment, you should not have sex with them.

You should test for chlamydia every 3 to 6 months if you are sexually active and have multiple sexual partners, or change sexual partners.

Doxycycline should be taken twice a day, for 7 days to treat chlamydia.

You should space your doses 12 hours apart, such as taking one in the morning at 8am and one in the evening at 8pm.

Swallow your tablet whole with water. You can take it with or without food.

What if I miss a dose?

You must always leave 12 hours between doses of doxycycline. So, if you miss a dose, you can still take it if you can alter your treatment times and take another tablet in 12 hours. Then, you can continue treatment with the new dosage schedule.

For example, if you were due to take your dose at 8am, but you only noticed at 10am, take your tablet at 10am as long as you can take the next dose at 10pm. Your new schedule would now be taking your tablets each day at 10am and 10pm.

You may need to skip the missed dose if, for example, you only notice a missed dose at 6pm, and your next dose is due at 8pm. Add the missed tablet to the end of your treatment so that you still finish the course.

If you miss several doses, speak to your doctor, as the effectiveness of the medication could be lowered.

You must never take 2 doses of doxycycline at the same time as this can increase the risk of side effects. We recommend setting an alarm if it is difficult to keep up with the times that you take your tablets.

Doxycycline is available to purchase online from reputable and regulated online doctor services like ZAVA, or you can also request treatment at your local GP or sexual health clinic.

Can I buy doxycycline online?

Yes, you can buy doxycycline online. You should only request doxycycline online from trusted online doctor services like ZAVA. We are monitored and regulated to ensure you receive safe and genuine medication.

Getting doxycycline with a prescription from ZAVA is quick and convenient, with no need for a face-to-face appointment.

1. Complete a short online medical questionnaire – Share details about your health so our doctors can ensure doxycycline is right for you. You will need a positive chlamydia test result first, which you can request through our service or another sexual health service.
2. Order and pay online – Sign in or create your ZAVA account, select doxycycline, and securely make your payment.
3. Doctor review and approval – A UK-licensed doctor will check your health information and approve your prescription request if doxycycline is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Fast and discreet delivery – If approved, doxycycline will be delivered discreetly to your home or a local post office for collection.

Can I buy doxycycline over the counter?

No, Doxycycline is not available over the counter, you can only get it on prescription.

Can I get doxycycline on the NHS?

Yes, if you visit your local GP or sexual health clinic, you can be prescribed doxycycline to treat chlamydia. This usually requires a face-to-face consultation.

Like all medications, doxycycline has side effects. Whether you may experience them varies from person to person.

Common side effects of doxycycline (may affect 1 in 10 people) include:

• feeling or being sick
• pericarditis (inflammation which affects the heart)
• worsening of symptoms if you have lupus erythematous (SLE)

Uncommon side effects of doxycycline (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• heartburn
• vaginal infection

Rare side effects of doxycycline (may affect 1 in 1 000 people) include:

• anxiety
• flushing/skin reddening
• buzzing or ringing noise in ear
• soreness or itching of genitals or rectal area
• inflammation of bowel
• difficulty swallowing, or sore or painful tongue or mouth
• increased pressure in skull (severe headache, vision changes)
• inflammation of liver
• abnormal liver function
• discolouration of thyroid tissue (if taken for long periods)
• loosening of the nail from the nail bed after exposure on the sun
• increased levels of urea in the blood
• jaundice
• upset stomach, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and/or stomach pain

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking doxycycline immediately, call 999 or go to A&E straight away:

• sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body)
• upset stomach, loss of appetite, severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea
• fever, swollen lymph nodes or skin rash
• very severe headaches causing visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision
• blistering of skin, mouth, eyes and/or genitals

How long do doxycycline side effects last?

Side effects from doxycycline can last as little as a few days or weeks. As you usually only take it for 7 days, side effects should clear up pretty quickly after this.

Common, mild symptoms should be manageable at home but if you experience side effects that are persistent or bothersome you should speak to your doctor, they might suggest an alternative treatment for you.

What to do if you get doxycycline side effects

If you experience common symptoms such as:

• headaches – drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers, it is safe to take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen with doxycycline
• sickness (and vomiting) – try to stick to plain simple meals that are not spicy or rich, drink small sips of water to avoid dehydration
• skin sensitivity to light – wear clothes that cover you up when you go outside and apply an SPF of at least 30, avoid sunlamps and tanning beds

If you experience side effects which do not go away within a few days, you should contact your doctor.

Doxycycline might not be right for everyone, certain conditions or medications can interact with it and make it less effective or unsafe. Before taking doxycycline, you must let your doctor know if you:

• have kidney or liver problems
• have myasthenia gravis
• have porphyria
• have systemic lupus erythematosus
• have (or may have) syphilis
• have diarrhoea or usually get diarrhoea when taking antibiotics
• have suffered from problems with your stomach or intestines
• are likely to be exposed to strong sunlight
• are taking oral retinoids

Medications that may reduce the effectiveness of doxycycline include:

• antacids (indigestion remedies)
• carbamazepine or phenytoin (epilepsy medication)
• barbiturates (epilepsy medication or sedative)

Doxycycline can affect other medications and their effectiveness, such as:

• warfarin or coumarins (used to prevent blood clots)
• oral contraceptives
• penicillin
• ciclosporin

Doxycycline must not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for chlamydia, but it may not be suitable for everyone. In some cases, alternative treatment such as azithromycin may be offered, but it is not the recommended treatment for chlamydia.

ZAVA doctors will only prescribe doxycycline for chlamydia.

Alternatives to doxycycline include:

Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Clinical trials have concluded that doxycycline and azithromycin are, for the most part, equally effective in treating chlamydia.

Azithromycin was reported to be 97% effective in treating chlamydia, whereas doxycycline was reported as 98% effective. Azithromycin is typically prescribed when doxycycline is contraindicated (not suitable).

Erythromycin

Erythromycin is typically prescribed if doxycycline is contraindicated (if your doctor thinks doxycycline is unsuitable for you). Studies have reported erythromycin to have more side effects than doxycycline and azithromycin.

If you cannot take doxycycline (for example, if you are allergic or pregnant), you can speak to your GP, who will advise which alternative treatment is right for you.