Can I take Prilosec 1/2 hour prior to taking Doxycycline?

Prilosec isn't considered an antacid in this case.

Tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycycline, often come with a warning that states "do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking... "

It is the polyvalent ions (iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, aluminum) in these products that cause the problem. The ions bind to the tetracycline forming a complex that is poorly absorbed in the body and as a result significantly decreases the effectiveness of the tetracycline antibiotic.

Spacing the doses by at least 2 hours solves the problem. In the older tetracyclines, even the calcium in milk was enough to make some of the tetracyclines ineffective. It is the same interaction with calcium that caused mottled teeth in children years ago. It is this reason tetracyclines are no longer prescribed to children.

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Prilosec works in a different way (it actually reduces that acid in the stomach rather than neutralizing the acid like the antacids) so you don't have to worry about the spacing issue.

Having some food in your stomach first may help with the heartburn problem. Also make sure you wash the doxycycline down with a full glass of water and don't lay down immediately after.

You will find more information at http://www.drugs.com/doxycycline.html