Doxycycline and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Adu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2015

For Acne "I've been taking doxycycline for 2 years now, and in that time it has been a godsend. But unfortunately, in the past month, I have had a huge breakout. I feel very self-conscious at the moment. I do all I can to avoid going out, and I absolutely get so anxious on the days I have to take my daughter to school and can't rely on my husband."

• Nes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2020

For Rickettsial Infection "I've never written a drug review before. My experience with doxy was horrendous! The first day, 2 x 100 mg, I didn't have any symptoms. The 2nd day brought on an intense panic attack and irrational thoughts. My mood was so labile, one minute laughing, followed by crying intensely. I'm a sensible person, and this just floored me. It's reported that psychiatric effects occur in 1%-10% of people taking doxy. There are cases where people with no psychiatric history and normally content have had suicidal ideation and completed suicide. My doctor and pharmacist were unaware of this, despite 'depression and anxiety' listed on the consumer information leaflet."

• Sar...
• February 1, 2016

For Acne "I currently have moderately severe acne, which has resulted in anxiety, depression, and generally feeling hopeless, and I cannot tell you how hopeful I am that this may be the answer. I have only been taking this medication for 6 days (50 mg a day) alongside the birth control pill Diannette (Brenda), and my skin already appears to be clearing. I am amazed because I have tried absolutely everything, including Accutane, which gave me some horrendous side effects. Initially, I had a small breakout, but these pimples already seem to be healing. The only side effect I have experienced is feeling like throwing up. I will post a further update when I have finished the course. But I am hopeful!"

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2022

For Bronchitis "I took this while taking a very strong steroid, and the steroid gave me terrible anxiety during and after. I thought it was all over and had a few days left of the doxycycline, and honestly, I don’t know how anyone can stand taking that medication. It gave me a ton of anxiety during and after that I had at first attributed to the steroid. It also gave me a headache while it worked its way out of my system. I will, however, say that I got better, and I was the sickest I had ever been with acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and suspected Covid but with a negative test."

• lym...
• July 20, 2009

Doxycycline for Lyme Disease, Neurologic "My daughter (16) was prescribed Doryx 150 mg 2 x a day for Lyme disease after exhausting all other antibiotics and her symptoms returned. After two doses, she started to experience paranoia and anxiety. Could this be a Herxheimer's reaction, meaning it is working (resurgence of original symptoms of Lyme disease), or is this a severe adverse reaction?"

• Top...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Prostatitis "Was first prescribed this at 100 mg twice a day. At first, it was doing okay, but then I noticed I was in fear all the time, Googling everything and assuming it was going to be the end of me. This stuff made me have severe anxiety and depression. It brought the prostatitis to a minimum and kept it at that level, so I am thankful for that. That being said, the dark side of me really came out. Please read for yourself about this medication before taking. P.S. still suffering from side effects."

• thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I just feel ethically obligated to comment here, as I have health anxiety and saw many scary experiences that people have had with doxycycline. If you are prescribed it and are worried about side effects (from reading reviews here, for example), fear not, as it is generally very safe, and if you are like 99% of people, you will not have any issues. I was initially prescribed Cephalexin for an infected scrape, and within 2 doses gave me insane anxiety/mood swings/etc. I have never reacted that poorly to an antibiotic, and didn't even know they could do that kind of thing. The doctor then switched my prescription to doxy, and I was super nervous to take the first dose. After taking it 100 mg 2 times a day for 5 days, I really felt nothing besides very minor drowsiness and very mild heartburn. The two things to heed are: you must wear sunscreen on this antibiotic, you must eat something with each dose (and chug a cup of water with the pill), and don't lie down for at least 30-60 minutes after taking a pill."

• jou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Acne "WORST medication I have ever taken, wow. I was having a few acne breakouts due to the IUD. Got the IUD removed and was put on doxy. Wow, within 2 days I was breaking out nonstop but powered through because of a purge. Fast forward to 2 months later, skin is so bad it looks like I had hives on my face, but it was just actual huge pimples everywhere. I would cry and never leave the house. Thankful my derm put me on spironolactone and it saved me!! 2 months into no doxy and just spiro and things are looking AMAZING. Moral of the story is ... do NOT TAKE THIS. I don't know one person that it has worked for, but everyone is different! Best of luck."

• Lip...
• June 21, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "I found out I had chlamydia 3 days ago. With the doxycycline, I've had a really upset tummy but not been sick. My main problem is I'm really aching and do feel like my anxiety level has increased. I take two 100 mg tablets a day. Thank goodness I only have to take it for 4 more days, as I'm taking other medication on top of this. I'm not a big tablet taker at all, and I've lost my appetite."

• Sls...
• November 28, 2018

Doxycycline for Acne "I’ve been taking a 75 mg dosage for about 6-8 months. It cleared my face, but I’ve noticed several side effects that developed over time, including weight loss, strange thoughts, mild anxiety, and mild depression."

• Sou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2023

For Pneumonia "Seemed to work at first, but then about two weeks later (still taking it), I’m starting to feel the bubbling in my lungs again. On top of that, I got weird blisters I never seen before in my entire life on my hand, my throat was so sore I could hardly swallow. It stopped once I stopped taking the medication, I took all except one. It does cause nausea, which I remedied by eating a lot of food and drinking water back to back, but after an hour of taking it, I would feel hot and dizzy and anxious and have a weird shortness of breath, like I forgot how to breathe. I’m just going to put this medication down as an allergy. Never taking it again, may need to be on another antibiotic because I don’t think my pneumonia has cleared."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2025

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I’ve been taking doxycycline for 5 days, 100 mg once a day. I have anxiety, for which I take antidepressants. This drug really aggravates my anxiety and my IBS. Also, I have a lot of back pain. I only have one kidney that works, and I feel it’s aggravated that too, so I’m now stopping it as I can do without the side effects and the added anxiety. This is the second time I’ve taken it, and it was like that last time, so no, I won’t be taking it again. I live in the UK and retired, so I have free medicine."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2025

For Lyme Disease "I was first prescribed doxycycline following a massive reaction to a bite. Since we were in Maine, the doctor presumed it was a tick, and I started the meds. Day 3-4, I started experiencing very low mood, depression, and anxiety like never before. Ended up leading to my first panic attack at age 39. Awful. I was on it for 10 days (even though for tick bites—we really do need more than this) and it did take a while for me to recalibrate after finishing. Years later, I was put on it again (Lyme), and behold, day 4 and dark low mood crept back again. This is a great essential medication, but I do want people to be careful and let a friend or family member know they’re on it, just in case you, like some of us, have this scary reaction."

• AJ2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2022

For Bronchitis "First time I took doxycycline, had horrible, severe anxiety, felt as if I was clawing up walls, stopped taking 3rd day. Recently was given doxycycline again for lung infection, I refused medication, shared with doctor, I'll take any alternative, I'm not taking doxycycline. Dr. states I had a very severe lung infection, I had no choice. After a long discussion, I gave the med a chance, I'm taking 100 mg, 2x daily for 5 days. To my surprise, on 4th day, I've had no side effects. Lung infection clearing up, I can breathe fully now, thank goodness. I am able to sleep, just feel a little tired, but manageable. I believe various med manufacturers make a difference in side effects. I had the same experience with Amox/Clav. Ask pharmacy, what pharmaceutical company, try different pharma company. Good luck to everyone."

• lis...
• December 5, 2016

For Lyme Disease "Took 200 mg daily for 30 days after testing positive for Lyme. Cleared up symptoms within a few days but made me very tired and had trouble sleeping at night. To be honest, I felt worse on the antibiotic than when I did with Lyme as it made me very anxious and restless at nighttime. Some people, why are taking this for more than a month, lol? I just read a lady on here taking it for 5 years... felt worse as soon as she stopped (deep sigh) this is called a placebo response, look it up and save your gut biome. Lyme can't live outside your white blood cells as it's a spirochete, meaning cyst Lyme doesn't exist. Please don't believe this chronic Lyme crap. Go and read some evidence-based journals for God's sake."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "On day 5. Have sinus infection. Still feeling sick. Sinuses swollen, so harder to breathe. Extremely dry nose, mouth. Sore throat, shaky, anxious, with dark mood."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "My son has taken it for 2 weeks, and he has gotten horrible anxiety. Three days after stopping it, he still has the anxiety. This thing is horrible, do not take it!!!!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

Doxycycline for Rosacea "Caused strange headaches at the beginning. Caused high blood pressure and anxiety."