A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system. This type of infection can involve your urethra (a condition called urethritis), kidneys (a condition called pyelonephritis), or bladder, (a condition called cystitis).
Your urine typically doesn’t contain bacteria (germs). Urine is a byproduct of our filtration system—the kidneys. When waste products and excess water is removed from your blood by the kidneys, urine is created. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults, and children. One to 2% of children develops urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse (a condition where the bladder falls or slips out of its usual position). Males and females share the same symptoms. However, research suggests that males had a higher chance of experiencing symptoms that affect the lower urinary tract.
What is doxycycline used for?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat infections and prevent malaria. To get doxycycline, you have to have a prescription written for you by a doctor.
Your doctor may prescribe doxycycline to:
• treat respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis
• treat other infections such as prostatitis and chlamydia
• control acne
• prevent malaria for people traveling in high-risk areas
Your doctor may have prescribed doxycycline for another reason. If you are unsure why you are taking doxycycline, ask your doctor.
Doxycycline is available in the following dosage forms:
- Powder for Suspension
- Capsule
- Tablet
- Capsule, Extended Release
- Syrup
- Tablet, Delayed Release
It is important to always finish the course of doxycycline as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better.
How does doxycycline work?
Doxycycline works by stopping bacteria from multiplying. In acne, it reduces the number of bacteria on the skin surface and it has an anti-inflammatory action. Doxycycline also works against malaria-causing parasites. Doxycycline belongs to the class of medicines known as tetracycline antibiotics.
Can doxycycline treat urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Yes, doxycycline is an effective medication for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Studies indicate that Doxycycline hyclate is an effective treatment option for patients with complicated UTIs involving multiple pathogens. The advantages of doxycycline for UTIs include its oral formulation, a wide spectrum of activity, ability to achieve high concentration in the urine, and low toxicity.
What is the normal dosage of doxycycline for urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Doxycycline comes as a capsule, delayed-release capsule, tablet, delayed-release tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. Doxycycline is usually taken once or twice a day. Drink a full glass of water with each dose. If your stomach becomes upset when you take doxycycline, you may take it with food or milk. However, taking doxycycline with milk or food may decrease the amount of medication absorbed from your stomach. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take doxycycline. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take doxycycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your dose will depend on your condition. You should take the medication exactly as prescribed by your provider. In general:
Doxycycline hyclate (Acticlate, Doryx, Targadox, Vibramycin) and Vibramycin calcium (doxycycline calcium):
• Adults and children (weight 45 kg or more): The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth 2 times (12 hours apart) on the first day, then 100 mg by mouth once or twice daily afterward depending on how bad your infection is.
• Children (weight less than 45 kg) with severe or life-threatening infections: The typical dose is 2.2 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours.
• Children 8 years and older (weight less than 45 kg) with less severe infections: The typical dose is 4.4 mg/kg by mouth split into two equal doses on day 1, then 2.2 mg/kg per day.
Swallow the delayed-release tablets and the Acticlate CAP capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
If you cannot swallow certain delayed-release tablets (Doryx; generics) whole, carefully break up the tablet and sprinkle the contents of the tablet on a spoonful of cold or room temperature (not hot) applesauce. Be careful not to crush or damage any of the pellets while you are breaking up the tablet. Eat the mixture right away and swallow without chewing. If the mixture cannot be eaten right away it should be discarded. Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Continue to take doxycycline even if you feel well. Take all the medication until you are finished, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
One doxycycline product may not be able to be substituted for another. Be sure that you receive only the type of doxycycline that was prescribed by your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about the type of doxycycline you were given.
What side effects can I expect while using doxycycline for urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
The more common side effects of doxycycline include:
• mild irritation of the oesophagus (food pipe)
• nail changes
• oral or vaginal thrush
• rash or itching
• ringing or other persistent noise in the ears
• stomach upset or vomiting
• taste loss
Serious side effects of doxycycline, which may need urgent medical attention, include:
• difficulty or pain in swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heart rate
• increased pressure in the brain (headache, blurred vision, vomiting)
• severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals
• severe skin reactions
Doxycycline can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing your risk of sunburn and causing pain. So make sure you protect exposed skin with at least SPF30+ sunscreen, clothing, and a hat.
Doxycycline can stain teeth and affect how teeth enamel form, so it should not be given to children under the age of 8 or women who are more than 16 weeks pregnant (when the baby’s teeth are developing).
Although it is rarer, some people can have an allergic reaction to doxycycline. The reaction can include hives (raised, red and itchy rash), breathing problems, and swollen lips, tongue, or face. If you’ve ever had allergies to any antibiotics in the past, be sure to tell your doctor. And if you’ve taken doxycycline and are having any difficulties breathing, have someone get you to a hospital emergency department immediately or call for an ambulance.
Doxycycline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
