Doxycycline and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ell...
• December 24, 2018

For Acne "Took this for my skin. I was a little worried because I know antibiotics kill your gut flora, but my derm assured me I’d be fine. Well, my acne went away, but what came was much, much worse. I started to get very depressed, and my energy became very low. I wish I never started taking this. I discontinued it, and my acne came back 10 times worse. I don’t understand why this pill even exists. It’s not a cure and just makes your skin worse after you stop taking it. Avoid this pill at all costs! I wish I did."

• Kim...
• January 19, 2018

For Acne "Doxycycline is just a temporary solution. During the summer of 2016, my skin broke out bad. I had around 10 cysts/nodules on my chin at once, forehead, and cheeks. I became so depressed, it was definitely the lowest point of my life, so I made an appointment with my doctor (October 2016), and she prescribed me doxycycline (50mg pills, twice a day) along with a topical solution called clindamycin and Retin-A. Ever since I took that first pill, my face was mostly clear for a year. However, at the end of December 2017 until now, I have been breaking out a lot, and they are huge nodules. I became resistant to the pill."

• 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."

• aow...
• April 5, 2013

For Acne "I am 24 years old, and my terrible cystic acne has returned worse than ever. (I was on Accutane several years ago, which cleared it up nicely, but do not want to go back on it because of depression and irritable bowel syndrome.) My dermatologist put me on doxycycline about 3 weeks ago. I started to notice a little improvement - the pimples seemed to be smaller and less painful, but now it's that time of the month, and I'm having a huge breakout again. I'm also on birth control (Tri-Nessa) and a topical cream (Epiduo). I'm hoping that the results will be much more noticeable in month 2."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

For Acne "Used Apo Doxy for acne for 1 month. Side effects included vision problems, nausea, and I lost about 6 kg during this time. I also felt very depressed during treatment and experienced bad fatigue. Pimples went away but came back immediately after treatment stopped. While most side effects went away after a few weeks, I still have a bad appetite and nausea, which I didn’t have before taking this drug."

• 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."

• Jim...
• December 7, 2017

For Acne "This did not work for me. It made my stomach hurt constantly, and after two and a half months, my skin had gotten noticeably worse. This caused depression and just overall sadness. This drug hurts your stomach and makes your acne worse. Do not recommend."

• Jim...
• December 7, 2017

For Acne "This did not work for me. It made my stomach hurt constantly, and after two and a half months, my skin had gotten noticeably worse. This caused depression and just overall sadness. This drug hurts your stomach and makes your acne worse. Do not recommend."

• 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."

• No...
• February 3, 2017

For Pneumonia "Woke up the second day with an annoying headache, and then came agitation, mood swings, depression, and bouts of crying for no reason. My life was very stable yesterday beside pneumonia, and I am a very happy person. This medication is dangerous!!!"

• Woo...
• June 12, 2013

Doxycycline for Acne "I am 17 years old, I don't have acne, I just have the teenage pimples. But these pimples control my life and make me depressed. I have taken one tablet, and my face is clear, one pimple on my face. So happy."

• Des...
• January 16, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Taking doxy for rickettsia. I feel like crap, no energy, nausea, depression. Anyone else get these symptoms?"

• Rey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2022

For Lyme Disease "Caused suicidal depression. A rare side effect of this drug is psychiatric effects, including suicidal thoughts and severe depression."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2019

For Acne "Horrible!!! Destroyed my digestive tract. So depressed."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "Worst medicine ever. Made my kidneys hurt a lot. This medicine is awful, makes you very depressed. Not good on your stomach."