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Doxycycline Uses
Common doxycycline uses include the treatment of acne, bacterial infections, anthrax infections, and the prevention of malaria. Doxycycline should not be used in children under the age of 8, because permanent discoloration and altered development of teeth may occur. Off-label doxycycline uses include the treatment of infections that are resistant to another antibiotic known as vancomycin.
Doxycycline is a prescription antibiotic licensed to treat a number of infections. Some of these doxycycline uses include:
- Treatment of bacterial infections
- Acne treatment
- An alternative for the prevention of malaria
- Treatment of anthrax infections
- Treatment of rosacea
- Treatment of periodontitis (gum disease).
Bacterial Infections
Doxycycline can be used to treat a number of different types of infections caused by bacteria. It is most commonly used to treat infections such as:
- Certain types of pneumonia
- Chlamydia
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Typhus fever
- Tick fever
- Syphilis (when unable to take penicillin)
- Some respiratory or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Plague
- Cholera
- Tularemia
- Gonorrhea
- Lyme disease.
Doxycycline is also used to treat several uncommon bacterial infections. It also may be substituted in place of penicillin to treat common infections in those people who are allergic to that particular drug.
Acne
For people with moderate to severe acne, doxycycline may be prescribed. It is thought to help control acne by curbing the growth of bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD