Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Does Doxycycline Work?How to TakeSide EffectsPrecautionsAlternative Treatments & Symptom Relief
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Does Doxycycline Work?
How to Take
Side Effects
Precautions
Alternative Treatments & Symptom Relief
Doxycycline is an antibiotic in the tetracycline family used to treat acute bacterialsinus infectionsin peopleallergic to penicillin. It is also commonly used to treatacne, skin infections like cellulitis, and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Doxycycline is sometimes prescribed as an alternative toamoxicillin, another antibiotic used for sinus infections, for people allergic to penicillin-type antibiotics.
This article will discuss doxycycline’s role as an antibiotic in treating sinus infections, how it works, and what to expect when taking doxycycline for a sinus infection.
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How Does Doxycycline Work for a Sinus Infection?
Doxycycline and other antibiotics only work for bacterial sinus infections, though. They will not treat viral infections.
How to Take Doxycycline for a Sinus Infection
Doxycycline for sinusitis is usually prescribed as 100 milligrams (mg) twice daily for five to seven days. Alternatively, it can be taken at 200 milligrams once a day.
Some formulations of doxycycline are best taken on an empty stomach, while others can be taken with or without food. Ask your pharmacist about the specific formulation you are receiving at the pharmacy. If taking doxycycline irritates your stomach, you can try taking it with food or milk to prevent this.
Be sure to swallow the capsule or tablet with a large amount of water to ensure that it does not remain in the esophagus, where it could cause irritation.
How Effective Is Doxycycline for a UTI?
How Long Will Doxycycline Take to Work?
Symptoms of acute sinusitis should begin to improve three to five days after starting doxycycline.
To clear the infection, take doxycycline for the entire prescribed duration, usually five to seven days. It’s important to continue to take your medication even if you begin to feel better. Stopping your antibiotic regimen early can contribute to antibiotic resistance, and your infection could return.
What Side Effects Should I Expect?
Like other antibiotics, doxycycline can sometimes causeside effects. However, it is generally considered well tolerated among most people.
Side effects of doxycycline may include:
Serious side effects of doxycycline may include:
Doxycycline should not be taken during pregnancy, as it can harm a fetus.
Because doxycycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration in developing teeth, it should not be used in children 8 years and younger unless the benefits outweigh the risk (e.g., treatment ofanthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever).
Alternative Treatments for a Sinus Infection
The usual first-line antibiotic chosen for treating a bacterial sinus infection in people who are not allergic to penicillin is Amoxil (amoxicillin) or Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate).
The other antibiotic option besides doxycycline for people allergic to penicillin is a respiratory fluoroquinolone such as levofloxacin or Avelox (moxifloxacin).
Over-the-counter (OTC) products can help with symptomatic relief. These can include:
Augmentin vs. Amoxicillin: Which Is Better?
Summary
You should start to feel better within three to five days of starting doxycycline; if you don’t feel better or your symptoms worsen, this could mean a virus or a resistant bacteria cause your sinus infection.You should return to a healthcare provider for reevaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Doxycycline is similarly effective to amoxicillin for treating a sinus infection. Amoxicillin is usually chosen in people who do not have an allergy to penicillin, while doxycycline is used in people with a history of penicillin allergy.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chow AW, Benninger MS, Brook I, et al.IDSA clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children and adults.Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54(8):e72-e112. doi:10.1093/cid/cir1043
DailyMed.Label: Doxycycline capsule.
Velušček M, Bajrović FF, Strle F, Stupica D.Doxycycline-induced photosensitivity in patients treated for erythema migrans.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):365. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3270-y
Harris AM, Hicks LA, Qaseem A, et al; for the High Value Care Task Force of the American College of Physicians and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Appropriate antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection in adults: advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ann Intern Med. 2016;164:425-434. doi:10.7326/M15-1840
UpToDate.Patient education: acute sinusitis (sinus infection) (Beyond the Basics).
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