When you have an infection, your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe a medication to help with the condition. Most of the time, medicines make you feel better. But some can upset your stomach or cause other trouble with your digestive system.
Recent studies have listed stomach upset and other gastrointestinal problems as major reasons why people abandon their medication midway into treatment. The good news is that there are certain measures you can take to improve how your stomach responds while taking these medications.
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline-class antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. It is used to treat bacterial pneumonia, acne, chlamydia infections, Lyme disease, cholera, typhus, and syphilis. It is also used to prevent malaria in combination with quinine. Doxycycline may be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein.
Doxycycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat infections by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infects pores and decreasing a certain natural oily substance that causes acne. It works to treat rosacea by decreasing the inflammation that causes this condition.
Doxycycline was patented in 1957 and came into commercial use in 1967. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. Doxycycline is available as a generic medicine. In 2019, it was the 90th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.
Does Doxycycline cause stomach upset?
Yes, doxycycline can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Call your doctor or healthcare provider before treating diarrhea. Raised pressure in the brain has happened with this drug. Most of the time, this will go back to normal after this drug is stopped.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
What to eat with doxycycline to avoid stomach upset?
According to Mayo Clinic, you can eat or take doxycycline with milk to avoid stomach upset and gastrointestinal problems.
If you are using Doryx® delayed-release capsules, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of cold, soft applesauce. Do not lose any pellets when transferring the contents. The mixture should be swallowed right away without chewing and followed with a glass of cool water to ensure the complete swallowing of the pellets. Do not store the mixture for later use.
If you are using the delayed-release tablets or tablets:
• It may be taken with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
• You may take this medicine by breaking the tablets. Hold the tablet between your thumb and index fingers close to the appropriate score (separation) line. Then, apply enough pressure to snap the tablet segments apart. Do not use the tablet if it does not break on the scored lines.
• You may also take this medicine by sprinkling the equally broken tablets onto cold, soft food, such as applesauce. This mixture must be swallowed right away without chewing and followed with a glass of cool water to ensure the complete swallowing of the pellets. Do not store the mixture for later use.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open it. You may take the Acticlate® Cap capsules with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.
What other side effects can doxycycline cause?
The full list of doxycycline side effects is presented below. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• itching of the rectum or vagina
• sore or irritated throat
• swollen tongue
• dry mouth
• anxiety
• back pain
• changes in the color of skin, scars, nails, eyes, or mouth
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
• headache
• blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision
• rash that may occur with fever or swollen glands
• hives
• skin redness, peeling or blistering
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
• a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
• joint pain
• chest pain
• discoloration of permanent (adult) teeth
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).
