Doxycycline oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Monodox, Oracea, and Vibramycin. Doxycycline also comes in other forms taken by mouth and injectable forms. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about them, talk with your doctor.
This article describes doxycycline oral capsule’s dosages and strengths and offers details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for doxycycline.
If you want to know more about doxycycline oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Doxycycline oral capsule comes in the following forms and strengths:
- doxycycline hyclate oral capsule that you swallow: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg
- doxycycline monohydrate oral capsule that you swallow: 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg
Doxycycline hyclate dissolves more easily than doxycycline monohydrate. Your doctor will prescribe the form of doxycycline oral capsule that’s right for you.
Dosage of doxycycline
This article describes the recommended dosages* for doxycycline oral capsule.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of doxycycline oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.
Usual recommended dosages of doxycycline in adults
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that treats infections caused by certain types of bacteria and pathogens. Doxycycline hyclate is also taken to prevent malaria. Examples of infections that doxycycline treats are:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about the infections doxycycline oral capsule treats. You can also learn more in the prescribing information for doxycycline hyclate or doxycycline monohydrate.
The dose and the frequency of doses varies by the many conditions doxycycline treats. For certain severe infections, you might take 100 mg twice per day. For others, your doctor may prescribe a maintenance dosage* with or without a starting dosage. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage for your condition.
* A maintenance dosage is what you take throughout your treatment, sometimes after a starting dosage.
Dosage for acne and other conditions
The following table shows the recommended dosages of doxycycline oral capsule for severe acne and other conditions. All dosages are in milligrams (mg).
* Examples include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and some respiratory tract infections. For more examples, see the prescribing information for doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate. Severe infections may require higher dosages.
† Certain chlamydia or gonorrhea infections may require a longer duration of treatment.
Dosages of doxycycline in children
Doxycycline treats certain severe infections in some children. Some examples of severe, life threatening infections are anthrax and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Doxycycline oral capsule also treats other types of infections. To learn more, ask your doctor or see the prescribing information for doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate.
Children younger than age 9 years
In most cases, doxycycline is not prescribed in children younger than age 9 years without careful consideration. This includes weighing the risks versus benefits and ensuring that no other therapy options are available. If your child is younger than age 9 years, your child’s doctor will determine whether doxycycline is appropriate for them.
Children ages 9 through 17 years
For children ages 9 through 17 years who weigh 45 kilograms (kg) or more, doctors prescribe the adult dosage. See the table in the “Usual recommended dosages of doxycycline in adults” section above for adult dosages.
For children ages 9 through 17 years who weigh less than 45 kg, dosages are based on body weight. These dosages are in the table below in mg per kg (mg/kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). So 45 kg is about 99 lb.
Dosage adjustments for doxycycline
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of doxycycline oral capsule based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and its severity
- your age
- your weight (for children weighing less than 45 kg or less than about 99 lb)
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of doxycycline
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of doxycycline oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of doxycycline oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about doxycycline oral capsule and its dosage.
Can doxycycline be taken for chest infection? If so, what is the dosage?
Yes, it can in some cases. A chest infection affects the airways or lungs in the lower part of your respiratory tract. Doxycycline oral capsule is a type of antibiotic. And it’s approved to treat respiratory tract infections caused by certain types of bacteria.
The drugmaker has provided a recommended dosage for treating certain infections, such as some respiratory tract infections. It is 100 milligrams (mg) taken twice per day on the first day of treatment. After that, you’ll take a maintenance dosage* of 100 mg once per day or 50 mg twice per day. But always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
For more dosage information, see the “Usual recommended dosages of doxycycline in adults” section above. If you have a chest infection, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether doxycycline oral capsule is the right treatment for your condition.
* A maintenance dosage is what you take throughout your treatment, sometimes after a starting dosage.
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Get free cardWill older adults need a dosage adjustment of doxycycline?
It’s not likely that older adults will need a dosage adjustment of doxycycline. Older adults are people ages 65 years and older. But if needed, your doctor may make an adjustment based on your response to the medication.
In older adults, the kidneys may work slower. A drug may stay in your body longer if the kidneys process it more slowly. Studies of doxycycline included people who had kidney problems. The studies are discussed in the prescribing information for doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate. They showed that with usual dosages of doxycycline, levels of the drug did not rise significantly.
Older adults may have a higher risk of side effects to medications. As a result, your doctor will monitor you during your treatment. And they’ll make any needed recommendations about your dosage.
Talk with your doctor if you’re an older adult and have concerns about your doxycycline dosage.
Is doxycycline taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe doxycycline oral capsule as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.
If you have questions about how long you should take doxycycline oral capsule, talk with your doctor.
How doxycycline is taken
You’ll swallow doxycycline oral capsule, usually once or twice per day. How often you take it depends on the condition it’s treating.
You can take doxycycline oral capsule with or without food. But taking it with food or milk may help prevent stomach upset.
You should swallow the capsules whole. The drugmaker does not state that the capsules can be opened. If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This can help the drug work more effectively. That’s because it keeps a consistent amount of the drug in your body.
During treatment, you may find that your skin is more sensitive to the sun. To help protect it, try applying sunscreen or wear protective clothing.
If you’re considering stopping doxycycline, talk with your doctor first. Stopping it early can prevent your infection from going away. Likewise, if you’re taking it to prevent getting malaria, it may not fully protect you.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Doxycycline coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for doxycycline when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Overdose of doxycycline
It’s important that you do not take more doxycycline oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much doxycycline
If you think you’ve taken too much doxycycline, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for doxycycline oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of doxycycline oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take doxycycline oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is the dosage of doxycycline oral capsules the same as the dosage for the oral tablets?
- Is there another antibiotic that can treat my condition instead of doxycycline oral capsule? If so, what is the dosage?
- Why is doxycycline oral capsule’s duration of treatment longer for some conditions than for others?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
