Doxycyclineis a tetracycline antibiotic that comes in oral and injectable forms.
Its available in several brand and generic versions, such as Vibramycin, Monodox, and Doryx.
You may be wondering if an antibiotic like doxycycline could help.
Getty Images / chanakon laorob
With doxycycline, only a limited amount of the drug enters the urine compared to other treatment options.
Doxycycline is approved for treating UTIs, but only in specific situations.
Getty Images / chanakon laorob
What Is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic classified within the tetracycline class of antibiotics.
It is administered in multiple formulations, most commonly via oral capsules and tablets.
However, liquid and injection forms are also available.
As mentioned, doxycycline comes in generic and brand versions, such as Vibramycin, Monodox, and Doryx.
The drug also has anti-inflammatory effects, making it helpful in treating acne androsaceaby reducing redness and swelling.
How It Works
Doxycycline belongs to a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines.
It works by blocking the growth of bacteria in the body.
Doxycycline interferes with the bacteria’s ability to produce specific proteins essential for survival and replication.
Inside bacterial cells, there are structures called ribosomes that are responsible for making proteins.
Doxycycline disrupts the function of these ribosomes, which prevents protein production.
This leads the bacteria to stop growing, which causes them to die.
Doxycycline also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce swelling associated with some bacterial infections.
Note that doxycycline is not effective against viruses or fungi.
How Effective Is Doxycycline for a UTI?
Doxycycline isn’t the most popular choice when healthcare providers recommend an antibiotic to treat a UTI.
Compared to other available antibiotics doxycycline has relatively limited bladder penetration.
The effectiveness of doxycycline for treating UTIs depends on the specific strain of bacteria causing the infection.
For example,Escherichia coli(E.coli)is a common bacterial strain treated by antibiotics.
Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is the first choice for uncomplicated UTIs.
For children ages 8 years and older, healthcare providers calculate the dose using the childs body weight.
Its usually given twice a day.
Taking each dose of doxycycline with a full glass of water is important.
you could take doxycycline with or without food.
How Quickly Will Doxycycline Work?
This can make your symptoms come back and make the infection more difficult to treat.
It works to numb the pain with urination associated with UTIs.
Note that this medication discolors the urine orange.
Doxycycline may not be the right antibiotic for a UTI.
If your symptoms arent going away, talk with your provider.
They may order additional testing or recommend a different treatment.
The most common side effects includenausea,vomiting,diarrhea, andabdominal pain.
It can also causeskin sensitivity to sunlight, leading tosunburnorskin rash.
Like other antibiotics, taking doxycycline may lead to avaginal yeast infection.
There are also certain precautions to be aware of before taking doxycycline.
Nursing people should not take this medication, as it can pass through breast milk to a nursing baby.
Avoid consuming dairy or calcium-fortified products two hours before or after your dose for best results.
Other medications can interact with doxycycline, such as:
Discuss any potential drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
They can guide you on preventing or managing these interactions and adjust your medications or diet if necessary.
Recurrent urinary tract infections are usually new infections with different bacterial organisms.
Summary
Doxycycline isn’t usually the first choice for UTIs.
Overall, UTIs are common and treatable infections, and a healthcare provider can determine the appropriate treatment.
2023;10(2):2459. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofad500.2459
DailyMed.Label: doxycycline capsule.
2017;30(4):464-467.
An observational study in German primary care.BMC Infect Dis.
2020;20(1):813. doi: 10.1186/s12879-020-05377-w
MedlinePlus.Phenazopyridine.
