Doxycycline for chlamydia

In the UK, doxycycline is the first-line treatment for chlamydia, one of the most common STIs, especially amongst younger people. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is used to treat several bacterial infections and to prevent malaria when travelling abroad.

Doxycycline for chlamydia is given in capsule form, usually in 100mg doses, twice a day, for 7 days. If you’re not sure if you have chlamydia, you can perform an at-home chlamydia test for a fast and accurate diagnosis, so you can get effective treatment.

Doxycycline interferes with the bacteria that cause chlamydia, stopping them from making proteins that they need to grow and survive, eventually killing them and getting rid of the infection.

Doxycycline belongs to a group of medications called tetracyclines, a type of broad-spectrum antibiotic. This means it can effectively kill a wide range of infection-causing bacteria.

For how long do you have to take doxycycline?

The usual treatment length for chlamydia with doxycycline is 7 days. However, your doctor may prescribe a shorter or longer course of antibiotics depending on the severity of your symptoms.

How long does doxycycline take to work?

Doxycycline gets to work straight away, and most people experience an improvement in their symptoms within a few days of starting treatment. However, a usual course lasts for 7 days, and it is important to finish all the doxycycline tablets to stop the infection from returning.

How effective is doxycycline as chlamydia treatment?

One study comparing the effectiveness of a 3-day course of doxycycline for chlamydia with a 7-day course found that the shorter duration had a 94% cure rate, compared to a 95% cure rate for the longer doxycycline treatment length.

Doxycycline is the first-line treatment option for chlamydia because it’s effective at clearing the infection and is well-tolerated.

The usual dose for chlamydia treatment is 1 doxycycline 100mg capsule, twice a day for 7 days.

Each capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and with or without food. You should space your doses evenly throughout the day and make sure you are in an upright position, such as sitting or standing, when you take the capsules.

When to take doxycycline

You can take doxycycline for chlamydia at any time, but you must space the doses evenly throughout the day, ideally 12 hours apart when taking it twice a day. For example, you may choose to take 1 capsule in the morning and then another capsule in the evening.

How much should I take?

The usual chlamydia treatment with doxycycline is 1 100mg capsule twice a day for 7 days.

How long do you have to take doxycycline for?

Doxycycline for chlamydia is typically taken for 7 days, although this may vary depending on the severity of your symptoms. You should take it exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

What if I miss a dose of doxycycline?

If you forget to take a doxycycline capsule, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. Ideally, your doses should be 12 hours apart or close to this. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you find you are forgetting to take your doxycycline capsules regularly, it might be helpful to set an alarm on your phone or use a pill reminder app. If you miss doses regularly, doxycycline may not be as effective.

Doxycycline can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick
• worsening of a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• inflammation of the heart (pericarditis)

Uncommon side effects include:

• heartburn
• vaginal infection

Rare side effects include:

• anxiety
• difficulty in swallowing, sore or painful tongue or mouth
• skin reddening (flushing)
• a ringing or buzzing noise in the ear
• soreness and itching of the rectal and/or genital area
• inflammation of the bowel
• increased pressure in the skull (severe headache with change in vision)
• inflammation and damage to the liver
• abnormal liver function tests
• discolouration of the thyroid tissue when given for long periods
• thyroid function
• loosening of the nail from the nail bed after exposure to the sun
• increased levels of urea in the blood
• yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), inflammation of the pancreas
• upset stomach, loss of appetite, diarrhoea (this may occur up to 2 or 3 months after the last dose), and/or stomach pain
• darker patches on your skin

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet provided with doxycycline capsules.

How long do doxycycline side effects last?

Most doxycycline side effects will last for a few days to a few weeks, and will improve as your body gets used to the medication. Some people may experience side effects for the duration of their treatment, but they may be managed at home.

What to do if you get doxycycline side effects

Most mild doxycycline side effects can be treated at home by:

• getting plenty of rest until the symptoms pass
• drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
• taking over-the-counter painkillers for effects like headaches
• speaking to your pharmacist about heartburn treatments
• avoiding spicy or rich food if you are feeling or being sick

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about any ongoing or unmanageable side effects.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should stop taking doxycycline and call your doctor or get someone to take you to A&E:

• sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever, swollen eyelids, face, lips, tongue, or throat, or itching all over the body
• upset stomach, loss of appetite, severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhoea
• very severe headache, which may also present with visual disturbances, like blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision
• serious illness with widespread severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eye, and genitals
• worsening of SLE
• increased pressure in the brain

Doxycycline may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take doxycycline if you are:

• allergic to doxycycline, any other tetracycline antibiotic, or any other ingredients listed in the patient leaflet
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breastfeeding

Tell your doctor before taking doxycycline if any of the following apply to you. You:

• are likely to be exposed to strong sunlight or UV light
• have kidney or liver problems
• have myasthenia gravis
• have porphyria
• have or have ever had SLE
• might have syphilis
• have or usually get diarrhoea when you take antibiotics
• are taking oral retinoids
• have an inflamed oesophagus or gullet (oesophagitis)

Doxycycline and other medications

Before taking doxycycline, tell your doctor if you are currently taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. You should not take doxycycline if you:

• are taking penicillin for an infection
• have the anaesthetic methoxyflurane

Some medicines can lower doxycycline’s effectiveness, such as:

• anatacids
• iron preparations
• oral zinc
• bismuth
• carbamazepine
• phenytoin
• barbiturates

Doxycycline can also affect the action of the following medications:

• blood clotting medications
• oral contraceptives
• antacids containing calcium, aluminium, or magnesium
• iron preparations
• those containing zinc
• bismuth salts
• ciclosporin

Doxycycline is only available with a prescription, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it. You can request doxycycline capsules from online doctor services following a positive chlamydia test result, or you may be able to get it on the NHS.

Can I buy doxycycline online?

Yes, you can request doxycycline online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review through your private patient account.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Our service is quick and convenient, and does not require a face-to-face appointment with a doctor to access treatment. If you are not sure if you have chlamydia, we also provide an easy-to-use and discreet at-home chlamydia test kit for a confirmed diagnosis by one of our doctors, before ordering your treatment.

Can I buy doxycycline over the counter?

No, doxycycline for chlamydia cannot be bought over the counter because it’s a prescription-only medication. A doctor or healthcare professional must approve your suitability and check that you have chlamydia before prescribing it.

Can I get doxycycline on the NHS?

Yes, doxycycline is available on the NHS to treat chlamydia. You will need to make an appointment with your GP or visit a sexual health clinic, so they can assess whether doxycycline capsules are safe and suitable for you.

Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for chlamydia and is the only option we offer. This is because it is considered to be the most effective medication available.

If you’re not sure you have chlamydia or think you may have been exposed to the infection, you can request a chlamydia test kit or a chlamydia and gonorrhoea test kit through our STI testing service. Both of these can be done at home, and your samples posted back to our partner laboratory for analysis.

Doxycycline vs azithromycin

Azithromycin was a preferred chlamydia treatment, but it’s no longer recommended first because the bacteria responsible for causing the infection have become resistant to it.

One study also found that doxycycline was 100% effective at clearing chlamydia compared to 97% for azithromycin. Although azithromycin is still available for chlamydia, it’s usually only recommended if you cannot take or tolerate doxycycline. At Asda Online Doctor, we only offer doxycycline for chlamydia.