What is Oracea?
Oracea is a brand name for doxycycline, and it comes in 40 mg modified-release capsules. It belongs to a class of drugs called tetracyclines, one of the most common types of antibiotics.[1] Unlike higher-dose doxycycline used as an antibiotic, though, Oracea doses are ‘subantibiotic’. This means it can target inflammation in rosacea without working as a conventional infection-fighting antibiotic.[2]
How does Oracea work for rosacea?
Rosacea flare-ups involve inflammation, blood vessel changes, and sometimes an overgrowth of your skin’s microbes. Oracea reduces inflammation in your skin by blocking certain enzymes and pathways that trigger bumps called papules and pustules.[3]
Because the dose of doxycycline in Oracea is low, it helps improve your rosacea symptoms without killing bacteria, and it doesn’t increase the risk of antibiotic resistance the way higher doses might.[3]
Will I get side effects using Oracea?
Oracea is generally well-tolerated, but like all medicines, side effects can happen. The most common side effects are digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea, and increased sensitivity to the sun, so it’s really important to wear sunscreen during your treatment.
Unlike higher doses of doxycycline, Oracea isn’t linked to weight gain or hair loss.[4] There’s some evidence to show it can interact with some birth control pills, so talk to your doctor before taking Oracea if you’re using contraceptive pills.[1]
What doses of Oracea are there?
Oracea comes in a single dosage strength: 40 mg doxycycline in a modified-release capsule. It’s a low dose that’s typically taken once a day to control inflammation while avoiding the antibacterial effects seen with higher doses.
Treated trusted source:
- Pearson, J.C., et al. (2025). Tetracyclines, the Old and the New: a Narrative Review. CMI Communications, 2(1), p.105059.
- Oracea. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION.
- Del Rosso, J.Q., Brantman, S. and Baldwin, H. (2021). Long‐term inflammatory rosacea management with subantibiotic dose oral doxycycline 40 mg modified‐release capsules once daily. Dermatologic Therapy, 35(1).
- Zhang, H., et al. (2020). Rosacea Treatment: Review and Update. Dermatology and Therapy, 11(1), pp.13–24.
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