Doxycycline Hyclate and stomach

Thank you so much for this site and your posts. I am on my 4th day of doxy. and I had a panic attack today and anxiety--I was doing fine until now. I would consider myself a calm person so this caught me out of the blue. I called the pharmacist who thought I was nuts, I'm sure. She said it was not a side effect of the drug!! I also noticed some nerve pain over my body. But my infection is lots better so I don't want to stop, but I don't want to have panic, either or get sicker.

I also get the stomach queasiness when taking a dose and always eat a slice of bread with it. I have noticed a worsening of reflux and I make sure to sit upright for at least an hour after taking the medication.

It feels so great to have seen that other people are experiencing the same unlisted side effects. I am on 100mg of doxy twice a day for 20 weeks. I've only been taking it a few days but holy crap. I have been so depressed lately. All I do is cry. And I can't explain why or what I'm thinking that triggers it. I do have things in my life going on that are upsetting me, but nothing that should get me to this point. I have random thoughts of suicide, which is getting me even more down. I have always been such a fun loving, care free person. But now everyone is always asking what's wrong me. I didn't suspect the drug, but getting off and calling my derm ASAP. Other than the depression I've spent a few days throwing up after taking the antibiotic, but I hadn't had too much to eat that day.

Man oh man. This is the worst experience of my life to this date. I'm 20 years old. An awesome person in my own opinion, but really just fell off the cliff. I just wrote an entire page of how I have been feeling lately to my mother and father with no intentions of giving it to them. Its basically explaining that if I do not wake up tomorrow that its because of this drug (doxy). It has made me so depressed that I cannot bare it any longer and I refuse to take any more of this. I can handle depression but actually sitting here and physically writing a letter is not something I would every do healthy.

I feel exhausted and I don't want to do anything. my stomach is fine but I have gotten sores on my tongue and a blister. I thought I may had picked up an STD from the only girl I have ever been with for my first time about 2 1/2 months ago but everything came back negative after I had already been taking the drug for 5 days. Now I have no clue whats wrong with me and this drug isn't curing my symptoms, its only adding on and making me feel terrible. I do not fear of doing anything to myself but I cant get over the fact that Im going to spontaneously pass in my sleep or something messed up. In fact writing this entire thing is completely unlike me. Depression is a powerful thing.

I will cause no harm to myself, but I think that anyone less educated about depression would. I really feel like if I didn't know everything was normal I would be ready for something to end my life. So I hope other people who are as severely depressed as I am will read this an know that its not the end and you just have to sort everything out.

Ok....I just took this pill 100mg this morning with a cup of coffee and sure enough, 25-30 min later....I got dizzy and extremely nauseated!! I even ate a slice of toast to try to calm my stomach, but nope, still felt sick and I chucked it all up!! Now last night around 9:30 and after dinner I took my first pill and felt absolutely fine?? Im still feeling a little weird right now so not sure if Im gonna continue or not??

Well, I have just started taking Doxy for a couple of days now and so far have noticed a change in bowel movements, appetite, a bit of nausea, my stomach has been feeling a bit bubbly and weird here and there. Also, it makes me feel high after taking it. And i know this sound funny but it makes my bottom itchy. Which is all really weird but over all I don't really care about the side effects as long as they dont become too extreme. I think as long as I take the medicine on terms that are best for me I will be just fine. I am just very glad to be getting rid of an infection that was causing me a lot more pain and discomfort than this med and will be glad when this is over. The biggest issue I have with the pills is getting them down my throat...I'm not a good pill taker and they make me gag. I can't imagine having to take them and deal with side effects for months at a time as some of you are doing so good luck to everyone!! And I also agree that doctors really do need to address the more serious side effects on this med! After coming to this site I will definitely take precautions.

I took Doxy for about 2 weeks as a remedy for a bump on my eyelid. This first exposure to Doxy seemed only to cause a little skin sensitivity and burning in my fingers, no big deal.

When my eye problem didn't go away, my eye doctor prescribed Doxy for a second time a month later. This time my side effects were much different. Within a couple hours of taking my first pill I felt a bit off, I felt anxious and unsettled. I Continued on the medication for a total of five days. During this time my side effects progressively worsened. The first few days I had very abstract thoughts, and began feeling strangely claustrophobic. By day three I was beginning to feel paranoid and fearful over just simple everyday things. Day five is when it all hit the fan. I started having difficulty breathing and feeling extreme tightness in my chest. My feelings of claustrophobia had also worsened to the point where I began having panic attacks, like I was trapped inside my own body. It was at this point I made a desperate attempt to search the internet for a possible cause, in hopes it might be the Doxy medication I was on. I was somewhat relieved to find this website and read that others had similar symptoms, maybe I wasn't losing my mind. I immediately quit taking the medication, but unfortunately the symptoms didn't go away for several more days. That night I was unable to sleep, I had mild nausea, and would wake up in the middle of the night in a panic and would shake uncontrollably. Lovely huh. It gets worse. I began to feel extreme fear and paranoia like I was going to die, or lose my kids and family. I began to feel if this didn't go away, I would not be able to go on. Thank God it did, and by day eight the extreme thoughts began to subside. I continued to have the breathing difficulty and mild depression for several days after, but the worst was over. Within a month I was back to normal.

I write this as a warning to those who are taking this med and feel anything close to this... stop taking it! I am a healthy, normal, 40 year old male, that has no history of mental issues, other than a "blue" day from time to time, and within six days I was entertaining thoughts of suicide. The psychological side effects of this drug NEED to be addressed. This is very serious stuff!!!!!!! Though it may be a small percentage of people that are susceptible, for those who are, it is a deep dark hole.

Diagnosed with staff infection, took one pill last night two hours after eating, sat up in bed reading and went to sleep no problem. Today, ate two cereal bard at 6:30 a.m., and then took the pill at 9:00 with water. I became extremely hot and nauseated about 10 minutes later and drinking water did not help. The nausea was so bad that I could hardly keep vomiting and it has not subsided. I do not have a weak stomach and have never experienced this degree of nausea with any antibiotic.

i have been taking doxy for a uti i took 100mg a total of 4 times i stopped taking it because i have been feeling horrible my stomach is tied in a knot i am exhausted my throat feels like something is constantly stuck in it i have been vomiting sweaty palms loss of appetite dizziness and it taste like crap to smoke a cigarette anyone else experiencing these side effects?

I started Doxycycline Hyclate several days ago (100 mg 2x daily) as part of 3 week regimen to treat Lyme Disease. I have had some stomach upset, a generally reduced appetite, and cottonmouth... but by far and large the biggest effect has been this overwhelming exhaustion.

Went to bad at 9:30 last night and woke up at 9:00 am this morning but could not drag myself outta bed until almost noon. Its now the middle of the afternoon and I feel like a complete zombie. Spacy and unmotivated, my head might as well be made of wood and can't pull it together to even take a shower yet.

I am a real outdoors guy and keep up a busy routine of work and exercise. Another 2 and a half weeks of this is gonna drive me nuts. I guess it is better than having Lyme, but does it get any easier?

Am on my second 3-week course of doxycycline for Lyme disease since the first go round didn't eradicate the infection. Have all the classic side effects mentioned, however the stomach ailments are GREATLY alleviated by taking a strong (70 billion parts per capsule) probiotic. Take it half way between the 2 doxycycline doses and although it isn't magic it does make a difference.
Although I have no appetite, I try to graze lightly on foods that appeal to me throughout the day and that seems to help with many of the horrific side effects.
Also, my MD suggested I take Aleve and NOT Ibuprofen for headaches since the Ibuprofen can cause a "headache" kickback (and causes stomach pain). Don't know if that's true, but the Aleve seems to help a little.
Worst side effects for me are utter exhaustion, dizziness, stomach pain, sore throat, and a head that hurts feels like it is filled with wet cotton. Also heart palpitations which may be part of the Lyme disease.
Hope some of this helps.

I've been taking Doxy for only about a week now but since I've been taking it I have been experiencing a burning feeling in my stomach and extreme nausea. I came to this site today after throwing up my breakfast. Reading all these posts only to realize that Doxy not only caused my Nausea problem but problems in my relationship with my boyfriend! I had to apologize to him yesterday after blowing up (several times) crying for stupid reason and being extremely depressed. He thought I was unhappy with him and was about to break up but I told him that I thought my hormones were just not in synch. Now I realized that this drug caued my depression...eeesh! I am relieved to find out I am not crazy. I just got off the phone with him and he's relieved too. I'm going to continue my prescription because I only have a few more days left of it. I feel bad for those of you that were prescribed it for such a long period of time.

I have been taking 100 mg Doxy for about 4 weeks, with 2 weeks left to go. I have experienced the sunburn, even with 50 SPF sunblock! I also have had the tingling feeling when I sweat or am exposed to water. I think this tingling is caused by sun exposure, though. I may not look burned but feel it. Right now I feel like I have acid reflux, almost constantly, like there is a tickle in my throat right under my sternum. No heartburn, just a little queasiness. I found out from this website that you shouldn't take it before you go to bed, which I have been doing, so I'll stop that. I've also been trying to take it without food but it causes my stomach to get upset. Is there any food anyone recommends for dealing with this? Does alcohol affect this?

I'm not a person who usually has bad reactions to antibiotics but I've never been so miserable as I was taking this drug. I felt excruciating pain in my stomach all day, every day, while taking this medicine. I stopped taking it almost a week ago and I still feel like I have a big lump in my throat making it very painful to swallow. And the worst part is that it was prescribed to me "just in case", so I didn't even have to be taking it. Luckily as soon as my bloodwork came back negative for any bacterial infection things, they let me stop taking it, but like I said, I still feel ill and my throat is killing me.

I have had the worst period of my life and a headache still, after being off of it for over a week. my stomach is also still messed up. how long does the side effects last?

Wow, I thought I was crazy and even thought I was pregnan! The symptoms of this stuff will drive anyone nuts. I have the gas, bloating, dizziness, nausea, lower abdominal cramps, EXTREME exhaustion, difficulty breathing, foggy in the head, pressure in the head/mild, constant headache, lack of interest in anything, loss of appetite, feeling sad and depressed, and an over-all feeling of not knowing myself. All this started on the beginning of the 3rd week of treatment. I really want my Acne to be gone because I am 41 and not loving the pizza face, but this stuff iss making me crazy! I'm drinking alot of herbal teas and juices to try and keep something in my stomach at all times because I don't eat much anymore. I hope that by the end of my 1st bottle, the weirdness, pains, and the feeling of having a vice grip on my head, will go away. If not, I'm calling it quits with this drug! Good luck all.

i am amazed that doxycycline has given the SAME EXACT problems to other people. i never had side effects to any medication i ever took up until this point. I was on them for a week and on the 2 final nights I too took them right before sleeping and developed a case of esophigitis. I cant eat or sleep because it feels like i'm swallowing lumps that land in my stomach and burn. Even breathing ends up as burping that feels like its on fire. My throat feels swollen and eating solids is torture. Ive been so depressed over this, it makes me want to cry and not go to work because my head feels like i'm in a cloud. Past 24 hours i developed a fever and pain in the jaw/temple area but that might just be a flu going around. So i called the doctor who prescribed them to me for adult acne and says "you weren't supposed to take them before bed, sounds like you have esophagitis". Nice of him to tell me this prior to starting this medication. Im so worried these have caused permanent damage to my stomach that i'm going to suffer with forever. Have these symptoms gone away for anyone, and what helped you get through it if it has? also, how long? Maalox, Pepcid, and over the counter heartburn remedies dont seem to help. all i know is, doxycycline is the wrost drug ever and needs to be retired ASAP!

I have been taking doxycycline for about 4 days now. Last night I took it right before bed, with water, and upon waking at about 1 am I felt that the pill was stuck in my esophagus. And then my stomach starting burning and acid started coming up. I still feel like the pill is lodged in there, and it is very uncomfortable. Along with this issue, I have felt rather depressed, dizzy, yeast infection, and am extremely tired. I don't really know what to do at this point. I was prescribed it for pneumonia and a double ear infection. My chest is still killing me from the pneumonia and still have trouble breathing. My doctors have not been helpful what so ever through this process. I had to actually go to the hospital for the proper diagnosis. I don't even know if it is even working for me, but I don't have health insurance and have been out of work for over a week. Can any one give me ANY advice PLEASE???!!!!!

I was prescribed doxycycline for bronchitis/pneumonia and an ear infection. I've been taking 100mg twice a day for four days now. The heartburn started last night, and though I've had mild cases before, this is unbearable. I cough and feel like I'm going to throw up. I drink water, I feel like I'm going to gag. I can stand, I can sit, I can lay down, doesn't matter... feels like I have a rock lodged at the back of my throat and my throat feels scratchy all the way to my sternum. The headaches come and go all day and I feel like I'm in a constant fog. I was told it was not an allergic reaction, but it is a "normal" reaction. I won't take this med again. It isn't worth it.

I was so glad to see this website and see that I was not alone. My Dr told me to take the Doxy with lots of liquid (not milk) before breakfast and dinner and said I had to eat. He said under no circumstances take it before bed. So he must have known about some of the problems. But like so many others I had heartburn real bad and a couple times burped up burning liquid. I've had constant pain just below my rib cage and in my back at the same location and real bad migraines. I thought maybe it was a sinus infection and thats why I looked it up to see if this antibiotic treated sinus infections to rule this out to decide if it was migraines or not. Usually if I get a migraine its for two days max and this has been a week. Oh and I also had swollen feet, ankles, and calfs but thought I maybe just ate too much salt or something. I've been feeling miserable with all this going on. After reading these entries on this wonderful site and seeing that all these symptoms fit as side effects I stopped taking it right then and there. It's been 3 days and my head, stomach, and back are still killing me but the swelling is gone and heartburn much better. I sure hope this gets out of my system soon. No depression or mood issues here.

I am a 70 years copd patient. due repeated exacerbation first i took augmenting 650mg along with Prednisolone the next day i had temp i started Levofloxacin + Prednisolone for one week. i had temp soon after i completed the course. then started Doxycycline 100 mg 1st day 200 mg then 100mg per day today is my 4th day. i don't have temp right now. i have to see after completing the course of 5days. i think i should take along with meals to avoid stomach upset.

My son was taking this medication for about a month and had horrible headaches after taking it. Felt like he was in a fog and vision problems, couldn't concentrate, had to quit driving and going to work. After many visits to the emergency room and many doctors. we found it had burned his stomach. Now he is on Nexium and it is amazing the difference. His headaches are maybe 80% gone. It seems that this medication is bad on the GI track. He took it with food but it just is hard on the body. If your symptoms stay have an endoscopy to see if it has done any harm to your GI track.

I have been having Doxy since last June (about 6 mo. ago) and still taking it. Its effects on my acne problem has just gotten apparent about one month ago. (Yep. For 5 months, I kept my faith and it is beginning to pay off.) I was determined to take the stuff as long as I need to. However, I just noticed that my stomach is bloating and I got tired very easily. I could play several games of rigorous racquetball before but no longer. My breathing has gotten harder and felt like something was obstructing my breathe just below the rib cage (in the middle).

I will see my derm to see if there is any long term problem with this side effect. He once told me I have to take this drug at least 2 months after all the major "bums" have disappeared. I hope that is within the next few weeks.

I vomited twice while taking it in the morning on an empty stomach...when I took it right after eating I had no nausea. The night I took the last dose I woke up with severe heartburn, I have never had heartburn before. It lasted a whole day with out letting up its been about three days and now it comes and goes. I can hardly eat because it burns every time I swallow anything. does anyone have some suggestions as to some relief of the heart burn and how long it lasts...I just want to get back to normal

Have been on Doxycycline Hyclate on and off for the last 6 months for acne treatment. I hadn't been enjoying the way the pills made me feel so I had neglected to use my last bottle of sixty (100mg 2Xdaily) until my acne flared up this past holiday season. On Friday the 18th of January I went to workout, came home and cooked myself a big breakfast, and then decided to lie down for a nap an hour later. The bottle was next to my bed and I hadn't taken my dose for the day, but I had just eaten a big meal so I wasn't too worried. I took the pill w/o water and lied down. BIG MISTAKE. I woke from my nap about 90 minutes later with the most intense burning sensation I've ever felt. It was just below my rip cage in the center of my body (I think it's the flap between the esophagus and the stomach) and now it's Tue. the 22nd of January and it still hurts every time I swallow and especially when I eat food. It sounds like I'm not alone with this problem and I would love to hear from somebody if this is temporary or what their Doctor told them to do. Thanks for your help.

I took 1 pill (100mg) Doxycycline HCl, went to bed, slept very groggy, exhausted. Next day, second pill, 1 hr later feeling nauseated, then severe migraine headache, thew up, felt like in a severe fever. This lasted about 5 hours then reduced to exhaustion, dizziness with some heartburn. It was intolerable. I also felt very depressed and negative.

One website describing a patent for a different formulation of Doxycycline reported that 31% of patients taking this experience nausea and vomiting.

Why is this drug so frequently prescribed?

Stop taking this drug if you have side effects.
After doing a little research it seems that the "Hyclate" formulation has many side effect problems. The other formulations (monohydrate or carrageenan) may be better. The Hyclate formulation is very rapidly absorbed and is acidic and can cause local damage to the stomach or esophagus. Some report these symptoms on this website. Also it seems foolish for this to be in capsule form, since this increases the rapidity of dissolving and probably also local damage. The drug is 'good' in that it stays in your system a long time and brings your body to a high amount of antibiotic rapidly.

I have never had a bad reaction to an antibiotic before. I'm glad this website allows for these reports.

EVERYONE PLEASE EMAIL THE FDA ABOUT THIS, NEEDS 2 BE RE CALLED ASAP, I AM 14 HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS FOR 2 MONTHS, HAVE HAD HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, CAN BARELY BREATHE, PERMANENT DAMAGE IN STOMACH, LOTS OF STABBING PAIN, NO ONE SHOULD BE ON THIS, REPORT YOUR SIDE EFFECTS TO THE FDA SO THEY CAN RECALL IT, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SUFFER LIKE ME AND ALL THE PREVIOUS COMMENTER'S. THIS DRUG IS DEADLY, BEWARE! DO NOT USE IT!!!!! I AM SERIOUS