Doxycycline for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection User Reviews

• Andy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2019

"Had a chesty, wheezy cough for nearly 4 weeks and during that time brought up a lot of green/yellow mucus. Snotty nose. No other symptoms like muscle aches and thought I'd soldier on. After 6 weeks decided to visit Dr. who said my right lung was crackly, and prescribed amoxicillin. Taken for 1 week, only started to feel better on last day of course. Mucus reduced, cough still niggly. Cough became really wet and mucus restarted. Felt like a cup full every time I expelled some. So 10 days later and back to Dr. and it Doxycycline prescribed this time twice a day on day 1, then 1 a day til blister pack completed. Snotty nose disappeared 1st night and on day 3 wheeze disappeared and I still have 4 days of meds to take. No side effects as taken with food and a pint of water at ingestion. If I have anything like this again, I'll press for immediate prescribing of doxy."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2019

"doxycycline is a very good antibiotic which is very effective. Was given this for a sinus infection that has failed to clear after amoxicillin. Have had it previously so I am aware of the potential nasty side effects. Can make you extremely nauseous if not taken with an adequate meal and plenty of water. As with other antibiotics can upset your stomach and give you diarrhoea. The cons have to be weighed against the pros though, as ultimately recovering from a bacterial infection is priority. I can handle upset stomach, nausea and headaches if it an antibiotic is effective in treating the infection. You will ultimately recover from those but the infection could be the end of you if left to run its course. No drug is without side effects and this should be taken into consideration. People drink alcohol and look what that does to you"

• Stella
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

"This doxycycline is the only antibiotic that works almost immediately when I get a sinus infection. I had my first sinus infection about 2 years ago, was prescribed amoxicillin and was absolutely miserable while sick and this didn't even touch it. Went back to the Dr about a week later, still feeling awful with all the normal respiratory symptoms and was then put on doxycycline. It started to work very quickly and I don't remember experiencing any side effects. Fast forward to now when I started experiencing the same symptoms of this last sinus infection from 2 years ago (facial pain, runny nose, headache, sore throat) and immediately made an appointment with my Dr who prescribed doxycycline, as it worked so well before. Again, this started working almost immediately and the symptoms started subsiding. This is a wonder drug in my opinion and I highly recommend!!"

• dinman
• October 28, 2009

"This antibotic worked great. It cleared my lungs that was suffering for two years, as a result of getting a infection off a breathing test machine. Took other antibiotic only add a prolong and other things to it then it got so bad the Veteran Admin put me on the doxycycline. A drug that I will always request for Bone, lung, and other conditions. "

• Vonnie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2020

"Been poorly for 4 weeks I have COPD & usually have a rescue pack containing steroids & doxycycline with all this covid about docs wouldn’t give me rescue pack until I got covid test which came back negative. So it was nearly a week into being poorly I finally got doxycycline but no steroids. They cleared my upper tract infection but days later it came back so docs have now finally given me steroids & more doxycycline but a ten day course instead of seven days. I’m praying I finally get rid of this nasty infection as I feel so drained . Think the moral of my story if I had rescue pack in at the start of infection I wouldn’t have been as poorly as I have been I’ve always had rescue pack at hand for my COPD of steroids & doxcycline & felt better soon after taking them Amoxcillin didn’t help at all"

• LisaK
• October 13, 2014

"I've been taking Doxycycline for a few days now for bronchitis/pneumonia. I take it twice a day. The dose in the morning makes me nauseous and I vomited once. Other than the extreme list of interactions with food and other medications, I would take it again for my illness. It's potent and so far seems to be clearing up my lungs and sinuses!"

• greg
• August 18, 2020

"I had been coughing for over a week non stop so much that I vomited, took 2 first day within hours my chest had cleared 90%, no side effects yet but even if i get some, it is nothing compared to the chest infection, its a wonder drug"

• 23450...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2015

"Fought off a sinus infection that went into my chest and turned into bronchitis. I absolutely hate taking antibiotics, but after a couple months with a bad cough, which was actually starting to go away, I developed pleurisy. I had decided I would have to go see the Doc. He prescribed me this and an anti-inflammatory. It started working on the second day and by day seven it was gone. I did not have any side effects. I had never taken this before, so might be why it worked so fast because I thought the pain was going to kill me."

• Rbfis...
• March 20, 2016

"I'm a smoker(20 a day roughly) got given 100mg to be taken twice on the first day and one every other on a seven day course. I was actually originally given this for a STI not a chest infection that I didn't really notice I had, however the second day of taking thought I was almost dying with flu symptoms and a terrible cough but stuck at it with plenty of good food and water. The second night when the coughing was worst got hardly any sleep and shivered plus sweating and had loads of blankets on etc. Third day coughing was still there but not even half as bad and just got better and better day by day, cleared my lungs and can breathe amazing now and STI gone did make my gums a bit sour and felt a slight burning sensation in the lungs."

• sonji
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2016

"I started taking this and am now three days in. I was first given a course of amoxicillin. It didn't clear my chest or my sinuses.i then phoned 111(uk) and their out of hours doctor prescribed me with doxycycline. Immediately the tension in my head was alleviated and the pain in my sinuses are gone. Stupidly this morning I took my tablet on time and went back to sleep please don't do this. I ish I saw these testimonies but I have now and won't make the same mistake. Other than that the medicine is good and I believe I should have been prescribed this first and not any other wishy washy antibiotics."

• jultus
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2018

"Reading most of these user reviews it seems I'm the only one not suffering from side-effects. I've taken doxy after tick-bites about 4 times in my 52 years on Earth. 2 of those times were preventative, the other 2 times I already was infected (Erythema migrans was clearly visible). I can't say enough good about this antibiotic. You just have to not take it on an empty stomach. The negative reviews to me seem like whining, and blaming doxy for something it is not even responsible for. I've decided to take it this week (in 2018) when I was coughing for 2 weeks and had flu-like symptoms even after having been vaccinated against flu. This worked wonders. I had only taken 2 x 100 mg doxy, and the entire thing was over the next day. This is an absolute killer antibiotic. Try to avoid direct sunlight up to a week after you've taken it, or your skin will burn. Highly recommend this drug for lots of bacterial infections."

• JulieP
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2016

Doxy 100 (doxycycline) "I've been taking 100 mg of Doxycycline twice a day for 8 days now and I feel worse than when I started. Now in addition to the upper respiratory infection, I have terrible vertigo (side effect of Doxycycline)."

• Toolok
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2023

"I was prescribed a 7-day course of these pills after taking another antibiotic that made me really sick. I was so scared to take these as I get medication anxiety. I took them at 8 am every morning with 2 slices of lightly buttered toast and a full glass of water. About 40 minutes after, I ate a rusk (yes, a baby biscuit - great for nausea and settling the stomach) and drank another glass of water! I then kept on my feet for 45 minutes after to let everything go down... and NO side effects!! I cannot believe how lucky I am to have an antibiotic I do not react badly to! I am feeling much better now, although I might need a longer course really. I just wanted to write a review as I know there are many people like me out there who worry about taking medication, so I wanted to help other people like me. The main thing is being well! I'm going to take probiotics and daily vitamins now that I have finished my course to get my body back in good condition."

• Denise...
• December 12, 2009

"I've been on Doxy for about four days, and the nausea is horrible. Today I had to leave my final exam because I was afraid I'd vomit. It's been that way since the first time I took it. I tried not eating with it, since that's what the bottle instructs, but the nausea isn't so bad if I eat. I have noticed improvements though. I'd had a bad respiratory infection for months but didn't know what it was. Finally got diagnosed and got this, and now I don't feel like death, but I do have a horrible headache. Didn't realize it could have been a side effect of it, but that makes sense now. Basically, it's a good cure for the respiratory infection, but the side effects are bad. On a side note, it'll be cool to see what it does with my mild acne."

• NYGal
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2016

"Developed bronchial infection couple of days into a cold. Tried usual cold remedies, but was feeling worse. Got up enough strength to drive over to my primary physician who is also a pulmonary specialist. I wanted chest x-ray as I had double-pneumonia years ago, was hospitalized, very ill, so ill they brought priest in for my last rites. My physician prescribed 100 mgs doxycycline 2 x daily, told me to take it with food if I felt nauseous. First 2 days I was ok; took it with 8 oz. water as directed, ate some bread with it, waited to eat my full meal, stayed off dairy. Third day nausea, dizziness began, head felt like vice grips were squeezing it. Into day 4 now, still same side effects, but med is breaking up and clearing out infection."

• Cassie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2017

"Doxycycline treats bacteria build-up in the respiratory area. The burning of this drug is only attacking the bacteria build-up, which means it's working. As with any drug wait 3 to 4 hours before continuing the second dose; after taking Doxycycline drink plenty water, and wait 20 to 30 minutes before eating, and resume drinking water. On the second day only take Doxycycline once a day and follow above directions. Avoid sugar, salt, dairy products, brain cereal, and acidic foods. Soup and fruit that are non acidic is great. Your welcomed to look up your own foods. Bon Appetit"

• Donal...
• March 26, 2015

"Into my fourth doze (100mg) took it with cold tea and shortly after felt sick for a while. I previously took it with a large glass of water and along with a meal had no symptoms. Do what the notes tell you to do take with a meal and don't lie down but keep active and all will be fine."

• Becky
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

"I am on day 7 of doxycycline for an upper respiratory tract infection. I have been feeling shortness of breath, head feels weird little appetite and tingling in my back. Can't get in to see my doctor this week because they are booked. Not sure if I should stop taking the doxycycline. I don't like the side effects of it."

• Labso...
• December 12, 2013

"The medicine works but comes with a price of bad side effects. Severe nausea and my gums ached really bad for some reason. The nausea I only had when I would take in the morning on an empty stomach and lasted for about an hour or two after that I would be fine. At night before bed no problems. Took about 3 days before I started feeling better."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2019

"I had been suffering from a lingering chest infection for about 3 weeks. I also found out I had chlamydia and was prescribed these, could feel improvement in my breathing by end of the first day, still coughing stuff up but seemed like it was being replaced with less. By the end of day 3 it was like I'd never been ill. It is a wonder drug. Shame all the antibiotics are gonna stop working :("

• Old...
• March 2, 2017

"I had an upper respiratory infection. It worked in clearing things up, but I experienced many side effects which included nausea, dizziness, lightheaded, pressure in the head and vomiting every time I took my prescription. I took my prescriptions with food and water and followed directions by the book. It seems to have many benefits but some of the side effects are not fun to say the."

• Cabin...
• April 6, 2013

"After being on Doxycycline for 4 days my lungs were clearing up from the upper respiratory infection, but also started getting the severe nausea and vomitting. I followed the directions to the latter. I had to call my doctor & get switched to a different medicine."

• Smee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

"I was given for sinusitis and bad cough. Didn't work and was told it was just a virus, but I ended up with septicemia and pneumonia in ICU was given Levaquin. This was July. Ended up in hospital with the same thing but other lung and not ICU this time. First time, no fever but the 2nd time was and I started to get the chills so doctor told me to get to ER where they kept me. I can't take Augmentin any more, I think if I had been given longer than 10 days on the Doxycycline this whole situation would have been avoided but no fever so nobody believed me and I almost bought the farm. Be nice if patients who have dealt with chronic problem were listened to. My old primary left and apparently my records have disappeared thanks to new PC program doctors/hospital started using."

• SadSi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2017

"I am unsure how effective this medication is because I could only tolerate it for 2 days before I told my doctor I was pulling myself off. Taking it on an empty stomach as prescribed had me vomiting within an hour and created an instant MASSIVE headache. The kind that has you pressing on part of your head to make sure your brain is still in there. I had to eat a small meal before any doses. It killed my appetite and also made me feel depressed, lethargic and apathetic. I tried to sleep through the evening doses, but would wake up with a terrible headache that would take hours to kick."

• CB11
• March 23, 2017

"Amoxicillin was taking long time to clear the chest/throat infection so doctor swapped to doxycycline. Within 2 days noticeable difference infection already clearing but felt exhausted, spaced out then had quite a startling amount of blood in my stools. Was told by doctor to stop taking immediately "