Doxycycline, like many antibiotics, can cause certain side effects.

These side effects sometimes include upset stomach, skin rashes, or light sensitivity, among others.

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What Is Doxycycline?

Older woman taking a pill at home while holding a glass of water in the other hand

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Certain infections may require more treatment days as opposed to others.

How much you take will depend on your age and your reason for taking it.

Doxycycline only works for bacterial infections.

It cannot treat viral infections.

Doxycycline use in children under 8, whose teeth are still developing, can result in tooth staining.

Additionally, taking doxycycline while pregnant can affect the fetus, causing color changes in the teeth after birth.

Long-Term Side Effects

You should not take doxycycline for longer than prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Depending on your infection, you may take doxycycline for longer periods.

For this reason, only use doxycycline in severe cases when other alternative therapies aren’t available.

Breastfeeding while taking doxycycline for long periods can lead to teeth staining in the infant.

Other negative side effects in the infant can include rash and diarrhea.

Certain side effects, such as kidney damage and changes in your blood concentration, have been reported.

This could be a more serious complication known asC.

See your healthcare provider:

Summary

When taken properly, doxycycline can help treat bacterial infections.

Some side effects like upset stomach or nausea will go away soon after you finish your treatment.

Other side effects, like sun sensitivity, should resolve about one week after treatment.

You may need to see a healthcare provider if certain side effects continue after stopping treatment.

Diarrhea that continues after doxycycline treatment should be addressed because this could beC.

difficile, a potentially severe bacterial infection because of the antibiotic.

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