- Treatment for chlamydia with doxycycline
- Access doxycycline following an online medical consultation
- What is doxycycline?
- What is the active substance in doxycycline?
- Who is the treatment suitable for?
- What dosage is used?
- How does doxycycline work?
- How is doxycycline taken?
- What should I avoid while taking doxycycline?
- Sexual contact during treatment
- When should doxycycline not be used?
- What side effects can occur?
- Reporting side effects
- Doxycycline active substance and excipients
Treatment for chlamydia with doxycycline
Doxycycline is a prescription-only antibiotic used in adults for the treatment of chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the first-line treatment recommended by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and is taken twice daily for seven days.
Access doxycycline following an online medical consultation
Start the online consultation and complete the medical questionnaire. A UK-registered prescriber will review your answers and, where appropriate, approve a prescription for doxycycline.
Important information. DoktorABC UK is a digital health platform that connects patients with independent, UK-registered prescribers. DoktorABC UK does not itself provide medical care, issue prescriptions, or dispense medicines. All clinical decisions are made by the UK-registered prescriber following an individual medical assessment.
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline class. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, preventing the bacteria responsible for chlamydia from reproducing. When taken correctly and the full course is completed, it is highly effective at clearing the infection.
Doxycycline is supplied as capsules or tablets and is taken orally twice daily for seven days. It is the preferred first-line treatment for chlamydia in the UK, as recommended by BASHH clinical guidelines.
What is the active substance in doxycycline?
The active substance is doxycycline hyclate or doxycycline monohydrate, depending on the formulation. Both are equivalent in clinical effect. Doxycycline works by blocking the production of proteins that the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium needs to survive and replicate, clearing the infection when the full course is completed.
Who is the treatment suitable for?
Doxycycline for chlamydia may be considered for adults following a medical assessment. It may be appropriate for:
- Adults who have received a confirmed positive chlamydia test result
- Adults with a clinical presentation consistent with chlamydia infection, following prescriber assessment
- Adults who have been identified as a contact of a confirmed chlamydia case and where treatment is clinically appropriate
Treatment is not suitable for everyone. Doxycycline should not be taken during pregnancy, and an alternative antibiotic will be considered in this case. A full medical assessment is required before prescribing.
What dosage is used?
The standard adult dose for chlamydia is 100 mg twice daily for seven days. Doxycycline should be taken at regular intervals, ideally at the same times each day, to maintain effective levels of the antibiotic in the body.
Your UK-registered prescriber will confirm the appropriate dosage and course length for your individual circumstances.
How does doxycycline work?
Doxycycline works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. It enters bacterial cells and binds to the ribosomal subunit responsible for producing proteins, blocking the process by which Chlamydia trachomatis reproduces. Without the ability to replicate, the bacteria are cleared from the body as the immune system eliminates the remaining infection.
Doxycycline does not work against viral infections and should only be used when a bacterial infection has been confirmed or is strongly suspected following clinical assessment.
How is doxycycline taken?
Doxycycline capsules or tablets are taken orally, twice daily, for seven days. The following guidance helps ensure the treatment is as effective as possible and side effects are minimised.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water
- Take with or after food to reduce the risk of nausea and stomach irritation
- Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine, to reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation
- Take doses at regular intervals, approximately 12 hours apart
- Complete the full seven-day course even if symptoms resolve before the course is finished
Important: Do not share doxycycline with others or use leftover medication from a previous course. Completing the full course is essential to ensure the infection is fully cleared and to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
What should I avoid while taking doxycycline?
Certain foods, drinks, and medicines can affect how doxycycline works or increase the risk of side effects.
- Avoid dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements taken at the same time as doxycycline, as these can reduce absorption. If needed, take them at least two hours before or after your doxycycline dose.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure during treatment, as doxycycline can increase sensitivity to sunlight and raise the risk of sunburn. Use a high-factor sunscreen and protective clothing where possible.
- Avoid alcohol in excess, which can worsen nausea and may affect how the medicine works.
Sexual contact during treatment
You should avoid sexual contact, including oral, vaginal and anal sex, until you and any partners have completed treatment and any symptoms have fully resolved. This is important to prevent reinfection and to avoid passing chlamydia to others.
Good to know: Chlamydia frequently causes no symptoms, which means partners may be unaware they are infected. Informing recent sexual partners so they can be tested and treated is an important part of managing the infection and preventing onward transmission.
When should doxycycline not be used?
Doxycycline should not be used if:
- You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- You are breastfeeding
- You have a known allergy to doxycycline, other tetracycline antibiotics, or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
- You are under 12 years of age
Before starting treatment, inform your UK-registered prescriber of your full medical history, any allergies, and all medicines you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
What side effects can occur?
As with all medicines, doxycycline can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight)
- Oesophageal irritation if not taken with sufficient water
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Skin rash
- Thrush (oral or vaginal candidiasis)
- Loss of appetite
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe skin reaction, stop taking doxycycline and seek emergency medical help immediately.
If you notice any side effects, inform your UK-registered prescriber.
Reporting side effects
Suspected side effects can also be reported to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme.
Doxycycline active substance and excipients
Active substance:
Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg (equivalent to doxycycline 87.2 mg) or doxycycline monohydrate 100 mg, depending on formulation.
Other ingredients vary by manufacturer and formulation. Please refer to the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication for a full list of excipients.
Leaflet info
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from the PDF-version from this website because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged or the medicine is from another brand.
