What is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic medication. It belongs to a class of medicines known as tetracyclines. It’s commonly used to treat bacterial infections. For rosacea, it’s mainly prescribed for its anti-inflammatory effects.
It’s also particularly effective at treating the red bumps and pustules that come with some kinds of rosacea.[1]
How does Doxycycline work for rosacea?
Doxycycline helps rosacea by reducing inflammation in your skin. It calms the immune response that leads to red, swollen bumps and helps prevent new breakouts from forming.[3]
It’s especially useful if you’ve tried topical treatments and need something stronger or more consistent. It can also be used alongside topical creams to give your skin the best chance of clearing up.[3]
Will I get side effects using Doxycycline?
Doxycycline can cause side effects, but you won’t always experience any. Some of the common side effects include nausea and stomach pain. Taking it with food can help with stomach-related side effects.[3]
Doxycycline can also cause sensitivity to sunlight. Because of this, you’re more likely to get sunburned, so it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen and limit your sun exposure while taking it.[3]
Some people report feeling tired or weak when starting doxycycline, but it’s not listed as a side effect.[4]
If you experience any kind of allergic reaction or severe side effect, seek emergency medical advice.
What doses of Doxycycline are there?
The typical dose for doxycycline is 100mg-200mg once a day, but the dose you’ll need might be different. There are also some lower-dose 40mg versions of branded doxycycline specifically for rosacea.
Treated trusted source:
- Sánchez, J., Valentin, S., et al. (2009). Safety and efficacy of doxycycline in the treatment of rosacea. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, p.129.
- Zhang, H., Tang, K., et al. (2020). Rosacea Treatment: Review and Update. Dermatology and Therapy, 11(1), pp.13–24.
- Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. (n.d.). DailyMed – DOXYCYCLINE capsule.
- Medlineplus.gov. (n.d.). Doxycycline: MedlinePlus Drug Information.
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