Tetracyclines
Doxycycline
Chest infectionsAcne and rosaceaChlamydiaLyme disease
Information follows NICE antimicrobial prescribing guidance and the BNF.
Common side effects
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Sensitivity to sunlight (sunburn easily)
How often each one happens varies by medicine and product, so check your leaflet. Many are mild, but ask your pharmacist or doctor if they are troublesome or do not settle.
Less common side effects
- Heartburn
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Thrush
Get medical help straight away if you notice
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, or chest pain, from irritation of the food pipe
- Severe headache with blurred vision
- Severe allergic reaction
Taking it safely
- Swallow with a full glass of water and stay upright for 30 minutes.
- Use sunscreen and avoid sunbeds.
- Check your leaflet and ask your pharmacist about food, milk, indigestion remedies and supplements containing iron, calcium, magnesium or zinc.
- Usually avoided in pregnancy and in children under 12 years of age, because tetracyclines can affect developing teeth and bones. A specialist may sometimes use it when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Report a side effect
You can report any suspected side effect to the UK Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.