Doxycycline and Depression: What Users Say

• Gri...
• October 2, 2020

For Acne "I have been taking doxycycline for about a month and a half now and finally see improvement in my acne. I have been taking pictures every week, and the first month was horrific. My acne got way worse, and I started to get a little depressed. I still have acne and whiteheads, but I can see a difference in my skin, although I have acne scars all over my cheeks. I will update next month."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I started taking this drug and instantly felt nauseous and fatigued to the point where I could not get out of bed. I started taking probiotics with it, which helped with the physical side effects, but the mental side effects were unbearable. I started off feeling extremely depressed, and then came intense waves of anger and anxiety. By my 6th day taking it, I had lost all memory of an entire day, and on the 7th day, I was so low. Luckily, I stopped taking it after the intense dark thoughts. It has been 2 days since I took the antibiotic, and I feel completely normal again. This drug is evil for anyone susceptible to mental health problems - do not take it!!!!"

• Jan...
• June 19, 2018

For Lyme Disease "I am a 55-year-old woman and was prescribed doxycycline hyclate 100 mg for Lyme disease. I took it twice a day for 30 days. During the last week of treatment, I noticed how I started to feel depressed: I found everything and everyone to be irritating, and I just wanted to be left alone. Yesterday was my first day without the medication, and I spent the most awful night of my life: I experienced vivid suicidal thoughts, was contemplating ways to end my life, and even wrote a letter to my children. The next day, I browsed the Internet and noticed I was not alone! I feel the company should absolutely list suicidal thoughts as a side effect of their drug, not only for adolescents but for adults also. This way, family members and doctors could be warned and keep a close eye on every person to whom this drug is prescribed. If you've experienced suicidal thoughts while using this medication."

• Tap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2015

For Lyme Disease "Works miracles to keep Lyme in check, does not necessarily eradicate it. Took about 4 years since infection for Lyme to get a foothold before I was able to get proper medical attention. On badly spread Lyme, expect severe side effects -- much of it, so I have been told -- have to do with chemicals resulting from the bacteria dying rather than the doxycycline itself: severe depression and suicidal thoughts that disappeared as soon as I finished the medication (discomfort, but at least I was able to put up with it knowing it would pass once the six-week 500mg/day was up). Also, take with proper meals -- I've woken up to throw up blood when taken on an empty stomach. Also, stay out of direct sunlight, or, if possible, take during winter months."

• Aub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2021

For Lyme Disease "My dad and I got put on this medicine because we both got bit by a tick and started getting a bull's-eye rash. We both were on the medicine for less than 2 weeks. We both got even more sick by being on the medication, we couldn’t even get out of bed. My dad started having personality changes. He was very confused about where he was and what he was doing. This medication causes people to have really bad anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. My dad ended up ending his life while on this medication. Before the medication, he was always happy, joked around with everyone, loved hanging out with his friends and family. He had no history of having anxiety or depression in the past. I do blame doxycycline 100%, and I do not recommend this at all. And if you do decide to take it, make sure you have someone watch you and you talk to someone."

• eme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Lyme Disease "I was prescribed 100 mg twice daily for 14 days for suspected Lyme after tick exposure. I managed to get through 11 days of treatment but felt no improvement in my initial symptoms (feverish, chills, extreme fatigue). Stomach issues on this drug were not a huge problem, but the increasing anxiety, depression, and fatigue were, so when I started having numbness in my fingers, I came to this site to see if anyone else had an experience like mine. Turns out there are plenty of us! I decided to stop doxycycline with 3 days left to go and hope I can start feeling better soon. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I only have 2 pills left to take of my 7-day prescription, and no improvement in my chest infection. Still coughing so hard I'm pulling muscles in my chest, but now I also have to deal with the horrible side effects (crippling anxiety that keeps me awake all night, zapping/twitching throughout my body, depression, nausea, unable to eat, exhaustion, confusion, racing heartbeat). It has been a complete nightmare. I feel like I'm on death's doorstep. I guess I'll have to try something else tomorrow when I'm done with this horrible medicine since it did nothing except make things much, much worse."

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

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "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."

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

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "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."

• det...
• October 27, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Took this for 10 days for urethritis, and this medication had too many side effects or really did not help me. I had flu-like symptoms, anxiety, depression, nausea, and feeling ill, back pain, chills. I will not be taking this medication again. Thankfully, I am done. Going back to the doctor next month, hoping to get something better."

• LKC...
• November 4, 2009

For Prostatitis "Took it for 6 weeks, 2 x 100 mg for prostate problem. Worked after taking it for 5 weeks. But had unexpected side effects of mood swings - temperamental, depressed easily. Also sweat easily in BIG droplets. Reduced energy/vitality levels."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2020

For Pneumonia "I had pneumonia and just finished the 7-day course of doxycycline two days ago. 48 hrs. The side effects using this with antibiotics and prednisone are still affecting me. Increased heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety attacks randomly (I don’t have anxiety), depression bouts where I feel sad, pressure in my head, and bloating and burping. The three combined were awful with side effects. Pretty sure the pneumonia is gone... gotta deal with these side effects until the medications are out of my system. Do not take doxy if you fear side effects."

• Mrs...
• August 7, 2017

For Lyme Disease "Was bit by a tick on my left shoulder June 24, five days later went to my doctor and he blood test did me and did a tick panel test. Both tests came back negative. I have since learned 5 days would be too soon for the antibodies and the bacteria to grow and show. Neck feels swollen on the inside and very stiff, went to an ENT to make sure nothing was wrong internally, he said everything is normal. Been really depressed, which is not my character, anxiety, super fatigue, feel lost. I'm a landscaper, so get ticks often. Went to the doctor Friday 8/1, I believe 2017...had the Western blot test performed, awaiting results, going to PCP and demanding 200 mg doxycycline. Also following up with a Lyme literate doc on 8/31. Will let you know how things go."

• Pop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2019

For Chlamydia Infection "Caught chlamydia off my cheating boyfriend. Day one, severe sciatic pain ... Day 3, red itchy rash, no more discharge, feeling a little bit depressed, but could be having chlamydia that's doing that? Am I the one in one million suffering this nerve pain like the test subjects?"

• KCC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2017

For Acne "I just started my second week, and my face feels slightly better. The first week was horrible. I broke out, I guess it takes all the dirt out at first and then clears your face. (Hopefully.) I was about to give up the first week, I really went through a hard depression phase, but my mother, a pharmacist, overwhelmed me with motivation. Guys, I promise you just have to be patient. My second week is so much better, and I am also using Differin gel, which helps too. I apply it at night and Papulax lotion. Drink lots of water and be patient. Good luck."

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2022

For Lyme Disease "I’ve only taken this for a couple of days, and I’m so glad I read the reviews on here. Having severe depression since starting this. It is so scary to feel this way that I can’t risk taking another dose. Contacting my doctor to find a different treatment. Please be careful with this drug."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Chlamydia Infection "First day of taking doxy and metronidazole seemed fine. I noticed I was feeling hotter than usual. By day 4 (I have a course of 14 days to take both medications), I had increasing headaches, nausea, but the most noticeable change was the deep depression I felt and also some confusion. Nervousness, trouble with my vision, shoulder and neck pain. I just feel absolutely horrible. I have a whole week’s worth of medication to go, and I'm not willing to take any more. My chlamydia had no symptoms. Going back to my doctor’s to change this medication because I...just...CAN'T take it - it's making me feel crazy! Worst experience with an antibiotic. Metronidazole is one thing. I've taken it before and been fine. Doxycycline added in is awful for me anyway."

• Col...
• November 26, 2015

Doxycycline for Rosacea "Good, no side effects, other than depression. Finally found a way to control acne. Once the doctor's coupon ended, so did my prescription, and the depressed feeling of a drug company playing, 'got you hooked, now pay up,' began. College student that cannot afford hundreds of dollars a month to stay on it. College insurance and family insurance do not cover the doctor's recommended treatment drug."

• Ely...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2018

For Acne "If I could give this medication a 0, I would. I didn’t have very severe acne, just minor breakouts. When my derm recommended this medication for 8 weeks, I was thrilled to finally get rid of those pesky breakouts! WRONG. I NEVER had horrible cystic acne until NOW! My face has never looked so bad. My derm told me to “trust the process” and to keep taking the medication. On top of having horrible whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne ALL over my face, I have also begun to become very depressed. If I skipped the medication even once, I started crying uncontrollably for no reason. I began to stop eating and was very lethargic. I am a couple weeks now OFF the medication and my face HAS NOT improved. I am seeing an esthetician now so she can FIX what my dermatologist RUINED, which is my face and my confidence. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICATION."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "It is obviously proven to treat Chlamydia, there isn't any question about that. It's the side effects that are the problem. For me, it caused severe depression that I never usually have. It has caused me to feel very emotionless and has completely deprived me of any ability for a genuine, healthy sleeping pattern. It has caused me to throw up once (which started as violent shaking and a horrible nauseous feeling, which ended in throwing up and going to sleep still shaking, but no longer nauseous) and caused me nausea one more time (I didn't puke). Overall, if there was any time in my life where my depression sunk to the absolute lowest, then it'd be now. Just be aware."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "It is obviously proven to treat Chlamydia, there isn't any question about that. It's the side effects that are the problem. For me, it caused severe depression that I never usually have. It has caused me to feel very emotionless and has completely deprived me of any ability for a genuine, healthy sleeping pattern. It has caused me to throw up once (which started as violent shaking and a horrible nauseous feeling, which ended in throwing up and going to sleep still shaking, but no longer nauseous) and caused me nausea one more time (I didn't puke). Overall, if there was any time in my life where my depression sunk to the absolute lowest, then it'd be now. Just be aware."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2019

For Ocular Rosacea "My eye doc put me on 20 mg 2x a day. At first, I felt fine. No nausea or headache. Three or four days later, headache and uncomfortable pressure in my head. I drove to work and actually felt drunk and out of body. At night, fatigue and very tired. Depression set in, and I was irritable and had thoughts of major life changes (such as quitting my job!). This is very unusual. I called the doc, and they told me to quit taking it, to which I fully agreed. I obviously cannot tolerate even this low of a dose."

• 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."