Medicine
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Factors Affect Doxycycline Dosage?

Cindy Quarters
Cindy Quarters

Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic used to combat certain kinds of bacteria. It is often used to treat gum disease, skin conditions such as acne and abscesses, and tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It is typically effective against various types of bacteria including rickettsia and streptococcus. Some bacteria is resistant to this medication and testing to ensure that it the bacteria is susceptible is generally recommended before proceeding. Various factors can impact the prescribed doxycycline dosage, including a person’s size, age and the condition for which the medicine is being given.

The standard doxycycline dosage is 200 mg the first day and 100 mg each day of treatment thereafter, with treatment lasting for at least a week. This dosage is increased in the case of chronic or severe infections. It is also increased to 200 mg per day for various venereal diseases such as gonorrhea and complications resulting from some types of gonorrhea. The doxycycline dosage used to treat syphilis is usually 300 mg daily, divided into three doses per day.

Doxycycline can be used to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is spread by ticks.
Doxycycline can be used to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is spread by ticks.

Children are given a doxycycline dosage based on the child’s weight. As with adults, the pediatric dose of this medicine is increased for severe infections. If a child weighs 100 pounds or more (45 kg) and is at least eight years old, he or she can usually take the adult dose.

The type and severity of the infection also controls the length of time the doxycycline dosage is given. Certain types of bacteria are treated with a course of antibiotics given over a period of seven days while other illnesses and bacteria, such as streptococcus, must be treated with doxcycline for 10 days. Stopping the drug too soon can cause the problem to recur and may have other negative consequences. One of the more serious effects of stopping the drug before treatment is completed is the development of resistant strains of bacteria that may no longer respond to the drug.

Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.
Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.

The normal doxycycline dosage can be taken with or without food, but in some cases the patient may be sensitive to it. When this happens the person may experience significant stomach upset. In such cases the dosage instructions must be amended so that the doxycycline is only taken with food and never on an empty stomach. In all cases, the medication should be followed by a full glass of liquid so that the pill doesn’t dissolve in the throat and cause complications such as ulcers in the esophagus.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

I'm sure that this is not the case with everyone, but my doctor has put me on doxycycline for rosacea and wants me to be on it for three months! I'm on a low dose, just 100mg/day but still, three months is too long isn't it?

Is this usually how doxycycline is used for skin problems? Is anyone else on doxycycline for rosacea?

ZipLine

@burcinc-- I think the dose that's used for Lyme disease depends on how bad the symptoms are. It also depends on the doctor. Some doctors prefer to start with a lower dose and increase it later and others give the higher dose right away.

I have been treated with doxycycline for Lyme disease and my dose was 400mg/day. I think the lowest dose given is 200mg/day but that's for early stages of Lyme. I have never heard of anyone receiving 100mg/day. Also, Lyme disease is different in that the antibiotic treatment is unusually long. So it's always longer than a week.

If you have symptoms of Lyme disease, I hope you have seen a doctor about it. Don't try to treat yourself because you might make the disease worse. Let your doctor decide the dose and the period of treatment.

burcinc

What is the typical doxycycline dose for Lyme disease? Is 100mg/daily for a week enough?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Doxycycline can be used to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is spread by ticks.
      By: Carolina K Smith MD
      Doxycycline can be used to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is spread by ticks.
    • Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.
      By: Syda Productions
      Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.
    • Side effects of doxycycline may include stomach upset.
      By: westfotos.de
      Side effects of doxycycline may include stomach upset.
    • Doxycycline may be used to treat gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease.
      By: Ivan Montero
      Doxycycline may be used to treat gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease.
    • Doxycycline side effects such as upset stomach may limit its use.
      By: ryanking999
      Doxycycline side effects such as upset stomach may limit its use.
    • Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.
      By: badmanproduction
      Doxycycline can be used to treat acne.
    • Blurred vision is considered a serious side effect of taking doxycycline.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Blurred vision is considered a serious side effect of taking doxycycline.