How it works

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat various infections, including chlamydia. It kills the chlamydia bacteria.

Alternative treatments

Sometimes chlamydia is treated with another antibiotic, called azithromycin.

Effectiveness

When taken correctly, doxycycline will kill the bacteria causing the infection.

• You should avoid sexual intercourse completely until treatment has been completed, AND until any partner(s) has completed their treatment. This means avoiding all sex, even with condoms, even genital to genital skin contact or oral sex. This is because of the risk of being infected again.
• It is important to inform any partners so that they can get tested and treated. This will stop you getting re-infected. Please let our health advisors know if you would prefer us to contact partners anonymously. Partners can order tests via GP/pharmacies, or online if under 25 years old.
• It is not a vaccination. You can be re-infected with chlamydia. Using condoms every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, anal) is the best way to make sure you do not get STIs. Re-test every year or whenever you have a new partner
• Please book an appointment at LSH if you have fever, lower abdominal pain (women only), or testicle pain. This is because you may need a different course of antibiotics.
• If you have ongoing symptoms then please make an appointment at LSH for review.

How to take it

• Make sure you complete the 7-day course.
• Take twice a day in the morning and evening, ideally 12 hours apart.
• Swallow whole with plenty of fluids. Take while sitting or standing, and avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking to prevent irritation to the food pipe.
• Avoid sunbeds or direct exposure to sunlight, as it can make your skin burn.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. If that happens, just leave out the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.
• Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one

Do not take with:

• antacids/indigestion remedies (separate by 6 hours).
• anything containing calcium, iron, zinc & magnesium (separate by 6 hours).
• isotretinoin, warfarin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin.

It does NOT have any effect on the contraceptive pill or other forms of contraception.

Do not take if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to doxycycline
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver problems
• have an inflamed food pipe (oesophagitis)
• have lupus, an autoimmune disease
• have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes severe muscle weakness

Side-effects

Common side effects: headache, feeling sick, skin sensitivity to light, indigestion and thrush (in women).

Rare side effects include: severe skin rashes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, jaundice, difficulty swallowing, fever, headaches, blurred vision, palpitations, tiredness, bruising easily, chest pain, breathlessness and anaphylaxis. See a Dr or call 111 if you have any of these side-effects.

Finally

If you are aged under 25, then repeat Chlamydia testing is recommended 3months after the infection is treated. You should receive a text reminder for this.

Further information:

Chlamydia – Leeds Sexual Health
BASHH Information Leaflet
Doxycycline: antibiotic to treat bacterial infections – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Any concerns please contact us, you can find our contact details here.