AntiInfectiveMeds
Since 2010
| Quantity | Price per capsule | You save | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | £1.06 | - | £31.85 | |
| 60 | £0.83 | £14.08 | £49.63 | |
| 90 | £0.76 | £27.41 | £68.15 | |
| 120 | £0.67 | £46.67 | £80.75 | |
| 180 | £0.61 | £80.75 | £110.38 | |
| 240 | £0.55 | £122.23 | £132.60 | |
| 360 | £0.50 | £203.72 | £178.53 |
Your order is carefully packed and is dispatched within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.
Sized like a regular personal letter (approximately 24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of what is inside.
| Delivery Method | Estimated delivery |
|---|---|
| Express Free for orders over £222.24 | Estimated delivery to the UK: 4-7 days |
| Standard Free for orders over £148.16 | Estimated delivery to the UK: 14-21 days |
| Country | Brand Names |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Efracea |
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections when the bacteria are susceptible to it. In the UK, it is also used for some preventive treatments, such as certain travel medicine uses, and for other specialist-led indications.
| Dosage form | Typical use | Key practical notes | Where you usually see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablets / capsules | Most outpatient treatment courses | Take with a full glass of water; do not lie down straight afterwards | At home / pharmacy |
| Oral suspension (liquid) | People who have trouble swallowing tablets or capsules | Shake well; measure doses accurately; follow the storage instructions on the label | At home / pharmacy |
| Modified-release formulations | Selected indications/products; may be easier on the stomach for some people | Follow the product-specific instructions (do not assume they are the same as immediate-release) | At home / pharmacy |
| IV (intravenous) | When oral treatment is not possible or in specialist settings | Given by healthcare professionals | Hospital / clinic |
| What you take | Why it matters | Practical timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk/dairy | May affect absorption in some products or some people | If possible, avoid taking it at the same time | If nausea occurs, taking doxycycline with a light meal may help |
| Antacids (calcium/magnesium/aluminium), bismuth | Can bind doxycycline and reduce absorption | Leave a gap of a few hours (follow the label or pharmacist's advice) | Common examples include indigestion and heartburn medicines |
| Iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium supplements | Can bind doxycycline and reduce absorption | Leave a gap of a few hours (follow the label or pharmacist's advice) | Includes many multivitamins |
| Food (general) | May help with stomach upset | Fine to take with food if needed | Avoid lying down after taking a dose |
| Situation | What to do | What to avoid | When to get advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| You remember soon after the scheduled time | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember | Do not take it without water or right before lying down | If you are unsure about timing around minerals or antacids, ask a pharmacist |
| It is almost time for your next dose | Skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time | Do not double your next dose | If you miss more than one dose, ask your prescriber what to do |
| You are sick soon after a dose | Ask a pharmacist or clinician whether you should repeat the dose | Do not automatically take another dose without advice | Get advice if vomiting is ongoing or severe |
Doxycycline is a tetracycline derivative with uses similar to tetracycline. It may sometimes be preferred to other tetracyclines for susceptible infections because absorption is fairly reliable and its long half-life allows less frequent dosing, often once daily. It also has the advantage that it can be given, with care, to patients with renal impairment. However, relatively high doses may be needed for urinary tract infections because renal excretion is low.
Tooth infection (dental infection): Antibiotics are not a substitute for dental procedures (for example, drainage or definitive dental treatment). In many cases in the UK, urgent dental treatment is prioritised and antibiotics are reserved for cases with systemic involvement or a higher risk of spread. In the United Kingdom, a clinician or dentist may prescribe an antibiotic based on the suspected organisms and allergy history.
| Common request | Reality | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| 'Antibiotics for toothache' | Dental pain often needs dental treatment (for example, drainage or a procedure), not just antibiotics | See a dentist urgently, especially if you have swelling or fever |
| 'It will treat any STI' | Doxycycline is not first-line treatment for gonorrhoea in current UK guidance | Get tested and follow guideline-based treatment |
| "It works for colds/flu" | Colds and flu are usually caused by viruses, so antibiotics do not help | Supportive care; see a clinician if symptoms are severe or getting worse |
| 'I can use leftovers whenever I feel ill' | Using the wrong antibiotic, dose or duration increases the risk of treatment failure and resistance | Only use a prescribed course for your current condition |
Doxycycline is usually given by mouth as the base or one of its various salts, usually the hyclate. Doses are expressed in terms of doxycycline; doxycycline hyclate 115 mg is equivalent to about 100 mg of anhydrous doxycycline.
The usual adult dose, either by mouth or intravenously, is 200 mg of doxycycline on the first day (as a single dose or in divided doses), followed by 100 mg daily. In severe infections, the initial dose may be continued throughout the course of treatment, if prescribed.
Gonorrhoea note (UK): Doxycycline is not a first-line treatment for gonorrhoea in current UK guidance. Recommended treatment typically includes ceftriaxone; doxycycline may be used only when a clinician is also treating possible chlamydial infection and when appropriate.
For syphilis in patients who are allergic to penicillin, doxycycline 100 to 200 mg twice daily is given by mouth for at least 14 days; some authorities suggest the same dose for 28 to 30 days in patients with late latent disease (follow specialist guidance).
For malaria prevention, doxycycline chemoprophylaxis should begin 1-2 days before travel to endemic areas, be taken once daily during travel, and continue daily for 4 weeks after leaving the endemic area (follow travel medicine guidance).
Minerals and antacids, especially products containing calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron, zinc or bismuth, can reduce doxycycline absorption - use the timing guide above. Some medicines that induce liver enzymes (for example, rifampicin and certain antiepileptics) may reduce doxycycline levels, so tell your prescriber about all medicines and supplements you take.
Occasional alcohol use is not known to cause a disulfiram-like reaction with doxycycline. However, chronic heavy alcohol use may reduce doxycycline exposure, which could make it less effective. If you drink heavily or have alcohol use disorder, discuss this with your prescriber.
Gastrointestinal problems with doxycycline are reported to be less common than with tetracycline, and doxycycline may also cause less tooth discolouration. Oesophageal ulceration can be a particular problem if capsules or tablets are taken with too little fluid or while lying down. Doxycycline should be taken with a full glass of water, while upright, and well before bedtime. Dispersible tablets or liquid formulations should be used in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk of oesophageal injury. Unlike many tetracyclines, doxycycline does not appear to accumulate in patients with impaired renal function, and worsening of impairment may be less likely.
| Practical point | Doxycycline | Minocycline | Tetracycline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dosing convenience | Often once daily (depends on the indication) | Often once or twice daily (depends on the indication) | Often several doses a day |
| Food/minerals effect | Generally less affected by food than tetracycline, but minerals and antacids can still interfere | Minerals and antacids can interfere | More likely to be affected by food and minerals |
| Photosensitivity | Can occur | Can occur | Can occur |
| Vestibular effects (dizziness/vertigo) | Less commonly highlighted than with minocycline | More commonly reported | Can occur |
| Oesophageal irritation risk | Notable if taken without enough water or right before lying down | Also possible | Also possible |
For the general pharmacokinetics of tetracyclines, see Tetracycline. Doxycycline is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; absorption and peak levels may vary by formulation and study, and can be affected by taking it with multivalent cations (for example, calcium, iron, magnesium or aluminium).
About 80 to 95% of doxycycline in the circulation is reported to be bound to plasma proteins. Its biological half-life varies from about 12 to 24 hours. Doxycycline is more lipid-soluble than tetracycline. It is widely distributed in body tissues and fluids.
Most of a dose of doxycycline is excreted in the faeces after chelation in the intestines. Removal of doxycycline by haemodialysis is insignificant.
In children, the effects on teeth should be considered. Because tetracyclines can affect tooth development, doxycycline use in children aged 8 years or under should be limited to situations where the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks (for example, severe or life-threatening infections, as directed by a clinician).
In the UK, dosing in children, when used, is weight-based; follow a clinician's and public health guidance for specific indications (for example, anthrax exposure).
Veterinarians may advise avoiding giving it at the same time as products containing calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron or zinc, because these can reduce absorption. As with other tetracyclines, extra caution is used in very young animals because of possible effects on developing teeth and bones. Contact a veterinarian promptly if a pet develops persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or other concerning symptoms while on treatment.
Store at room temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Short-term temperature changes are allowed: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Keep the container tightly closed, protected from light, and out of the reach of children.
Doxycycline is a widely used tetracycline antibiotic with convenient dosing and generally reliable absorption. Take it with plenty of water while upright, avoid taking it at the same time as mineral-containing antacids or supplements, and store it at controlled room temperature. Follow your prescriber's directions, especially for dental infections (where definitive dental treatment is key), sun sensitivity, and if you drink alcohol heavily.
I live in Sunderland and am concerned about the capsules being in transit. Are doxycycline capsules suitable for ordinary postal transport?
Capsules can normally be transported by post when properly packed and protected from moisture and light. Once delivered, check that the package is intact and keep the capsules at 20°C to 25°C; do not use them if they are wet, damaged or otherwise compromised.
Before ordering from Newcastle upon Tyne, can I check whether these capsules can be delivered to my postcode?
Yes, enter your delivery postcode during checkout to check whether the address is eligible. Availability is confirmed there before you complete the order.
I have previously used Efracea in Cardiff. Can I replace it with these doxycycline 100 mg capsules?
Do not switch based on the brand name alone. Compare the active ingredient, strength, dosage form and release characteristics on your prescription and the labels first, as Efracea and doxycycline products may differ in strength or formulation. Manufacturers, capsule appearance, packaging and inactive ingredients can also differ.
My new package looks different from the doxycycline capsules I received on a previous order. What should I check before taking them?
A different appearance does not by itself mean the medicine is wrong. Check the active ingredient, 100 mg strength, capsule dosage form, manufacturer, package label, lot number and expiry date; compare any capsule imprint if one is present. Do not take the capsules until any mismatch in ingredient, strength, dosage form, seal or condition has been clarified.
I am due to have a dental procedure with sedation soon. Should I tell the dentist that I am taking doxycycline?
Yes. Tell the dentist, anaesthetist or surgical team about doxycycline and all other medicines before the procedure. Doxycycline can enhance the effect of certain muscle-relaxing medicines used during anaesthesia, so the team may need this information when planning your care. Do not stop a prescribed course unless they advise you to.
| Active ingredient | Doxycycline |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Tetracycline antibiotic |
| Dosage form | Capsule |
| Available strengths | 100 mg |
| Route | Oral |
| Storage | Store at 20°C to 25°C; excursions permitted from 15°C to 30°C. Protect from light and moisture. |
| ATC code | J01AA02 |
This product has 55 ratings, but only 5 written reviews so far. Share your experience and help other customers.
Bought the 100 mg, 180 capsule pack of Vibramycin before at £105, now it's £110, but the quality is still just as good.
My Vibramycin capsules went missing in transit, but the store sorted it out quickly and refunded me without any hassle.
The outer parcel arrived a bit dented, though the Vibramycin capsules inside were fine and it's good value overall.
Got the 100 mg, 180 capsule pack of Vibramycin since the larger size just suited how often I need it.
Ordered Vibramycin capsules for my father and the strength and quantity that arrived matched exactly what we'd ordered.
