Doxycycline and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "My doctor sent me doxycycline hyclate for a bacterial infection, and after taking it for 5 days, I have been having diarrhea on the 6th and 7th day. I hope that goes soon. This antibiotic has helped my stuffy and 'sneezy' allergic symptoms, although on the 7th day, I am still feeling and sounding stuffy. The doctor recommended 10 days of 200 mg each day; 100 mg every 12 hours."

• Fan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2020

Doxycycline for Rosacea "I've had rosacea for several years, it is much worse in between seasons. Tried the Oracea, and it works. Tried the generic, works too, but the Oracea works for me without the bloatiness or weight gain. Some side effects, such as diarrhea, but only temporary. It also helped with extreme dryness of the eye. Ophthalmologist said that both could be related and to get back on the doxy, which I did, and it helps. Extreme grittiness in the eye is also worse in between seasons and when it's windy. However, I never heard of ocular rosacea, and I will look into this. Thanks."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2023

For Lyme Disease "It's probably helping the spot on my leg, but it's making me feel worse in every other aspect. Vague headaches, brain fog, an uptick in the volatility of past mental health issues, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, I've got it all. This is making me so miserable I'd rather they just cut off my leg than make me keep taking this. 100 mg twice a day for 10 days, it's been a week. When I feel good, I feel great, but when I don't, I'm in hell. I wake up gagging. Vile, foul stuff."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2022

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I am on doxycycline post-COVID for an upper respiratory infection and an onset of bronchitis. I took this medication last night and experienced no side effects until this morning around 9 a.m. I have a severe stomach ache and severe diarrhea. The side effects are too overbearing for me. I will not be taking another dose of this specific antibiotic."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2020

Doxycycline for Bacterial Infection "I took a very heavy dose of this drug via intravenous drip over four days during a nine-day hospital stay to fight off an infection in the cervical spine after surgery. It seems to induce nausea, loose bowels, and it also seemed to interfere with the sense of taste to the extent that nothing I attempted to eat was palatable, even hospital favorite ginger ale and several foods I otherwise love that were bootlegged into the hospital for me. This lasted for an additional three days after I came off it, and I lost about ten pounds as well. The effectiveness of the drug was apparently less than dramatic, as the infection was sluggish in going away, but hopefully has."

• Tom...
• November 8, 2015

For Bronchitis "Have never taken this medicine before for bronchitis. Have had an upset stomach, diarrhea, body aches. Have taken with/without food and no difference in symptoms. Had no relief. I stopped taking and should have taken amoxicillin instead."

• Kee...
• June 3, 2013

For Acne "I've been using doxycycline for 5 days now, and I've had very crazy dreams from it, bad diarrhea, and wake up every morning extremely thirsty, but it is helping with my acne. I just hope the side effects stop."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

For Malaria Prevention "Came to Tanzania to teach for the month of May this year and was given doxy as malaria prevention. Was sick as a dog for my full month there, couldn't eat much, sinus headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, spent most of my time not teaching, lying in my room feeling sorry for myself... Just came to Tanzania again and forgot to start my doxy before arriving, the first morning I took it, the cramps started again, the diarrhea and fever chills. I'm glad I made the connection and looked the side effects up! Stopping this medication immediately."

• TVa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2017

For Acne "I was recently hospitalized due to cysts on my ovaries that caused me severe pain. There was a bacterial infection going on as well, so I was prescribed doxycycline hyclate 100 mg. Even though it was for my ovarian cysts, I noticed after taking doxy for 3 days straight (2 capsules a day), my acne had cleared up! I haven't seen my face this clear since 2008. The downside was that it caused diarrhea and bad abdominal cramps. I miss my face being this clear, so I'm trying to stick out the pain."

• Tcb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2020

For Pelvic Inflammatory Disease "Developed a pelvic infection after having an IUD inserted, prescribed doxy 100 mg 2x/day. The first 2 days were fine, extremely minor stomach upset, which went away with food. The third day, I developed bad diarrhea. The fourth day, I took it lying down on an empty stomach right before going to bed... big mistake. Within 30 min, I woke out of a dead sleep and was violently sick. Barely made it to the toilet. I am on day 3 of diarrhea. Calling my doctor to see if we can switch meds. Symptoms of my pelvic infection were a small fever (around 100) and pelvic pain, neither of which has changed at all since starting this medication."

• Jam...
• July 25, 2015

Doxycycline for Rosacea "Started taking for acne. It helped a lot the first three weeks, but the second I had my period, it's like I might as well not even be taking the Oracea because I see little to no difference. I get diarrhea and an upset stomach in addition to taking this medication. For me, I'll probably need to take a stronger medicine."

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Bronchitis "I started taking this drug for upper respiratory cough, common cold, possibly bronchitis. Instead of taking two pills a day, I took one a day. Within a couple of days, I started cramps in my stomach, diarrhea, upset stomach, and my ears were ringing. One was enough, let alone all of these symptoms at one time. I stopped taking it, went back to the doctor. It's now three days since I stopped, and I still have diarrhea with stomach cramps off and on. And, of course, you feel tired just from the diarrhea constantly. This antibiotic should really be considered taking off the market. The drug is worse than your illness. I started to take it on February 10th, 2020."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

For Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated "Found out I had gonorrhea, was afraid of the nausea from azithromycin, so I took 7 days of twice a day doxycycline, worked like a charm. I never got bloated or nauseous or diarrhea, but I took lots of supplementary probiotics and I limited dairy and caffeine a lot. Symptoms were gone by day 2, but that was because of the Rocephin shot. Enjoy!"

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I’m scared of this little pill. I’m on day 5, and I’m miserable. The first day I took it, I got in the shower, and about 30 minutes later, I was all of a sudden super hot, worst stomach pains ever, and nausea. I got sick and threw up all of the medication. I thought maybe this happened because I took it on an empty stomach like it says to do on the bottle, so the next day I attempted again. The 2nd day I made sure I ate and washed it down well with water. Again, I had stomach pains, but even worse, because this time it wouldn’t come back up. I was so miserable that I sat over the toilet for an hour trying to make myself puke. The pain lasted about 2 hours before it went away. Other side effects I’ve been having are diarrhea, headaches, and insomnia for some reason. Now at this point, I just prepare myself for the worst before taking this antibiotic. I’m finishing my course, but this is the last time I’ll ever use these."

• Hii...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 14, 2015

For Acne "A pretty average experience. Helped a ton with my teenage acne from when I started using it (age 15) to when I stopped using it (age 17). Had to get off it now because it would induce a lot of stomach pain and diarrhea when I was taking it."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2020

For Prostatitis "Taking this medicine for six days now for possible prostatitis and feel I can't take it anymore due to severe side effects. 24-hour/day diarrhea is the worst I've ever had. Felt quite bloated and cramped with general abdominal pain. Also had a few headaches, which I never have, and had flu-like symptoms after day four. Also had difficulty concentrating with some dizziness. Food had no taste, except for sweeter foods like juice. Wake up at night every hour or so to pee and feel very thirsty. No way could I go to work or travel while taking this drug. I can usually tough out most any drug side effect, but the general feelings of despair and even suicidal thoughts scare me. Will be calling the pharmacist today for advice."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

For Bronchitis "While I normally never have reactions to a new medication, this one I did. Half an hour after taking it, I had diarrhea and vomiting. Prescribed for bronchitis. 100 mg. The first dose was without food. I'll try the second dose with food and see how that goes."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I would never take this medication ever again, unless it was life threatening. There are many other antibiotics; it doesn't have to be this one for my case. I'll elaborate: I received the medication for acne, which isn't very 'life threatening.' The side effects I got were vomiting, diarrhea, and esophagitis. Additionally, I decided to stop taking the medication after the esophagitis, which made it extremely painful to swallow and lay down. I wish my doctor had discussed the side effects of this medicine with me; if I knew then, I would have taken something else."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Acne "So, as of now, I rate doxycycline a 3 out of 10 for me. I just started it on May 23rd, and it’s June 12th today. My acne has gone WORSE. People say it gets worse before it gets better, and I HOPE that’s the case, because I've been having acne since I was 14, I’m 20 now. Side effects weren’t that bad: diarrhea, headache, and some nausea. They also gave me a cream called 'Aczone.' I don't know how I feel about it yet."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

"I was put on an oral dose of doxycycline twice a day for folliculitis, along with a topical dose of clindamycin. I started having a few side effects a few days after starting the medication: bleeding gums and a burning sensation in my hands. I also noticed frequent headaches, which I initially thought was just part of my normal migraine issues. After being on the medication for a week, I started having nausea, diarrhea, bloating, gas, lack of appetite, pain in my abdomen and back, and extreme fatigue. Food has had little to no taste, but I have barely been able to eat anything due to feeling so nauseated. I called the dermatology office that had prescribed the medication, and they recommended that I refrain from taking any more. I was originally to take the doxycycline for three weeks. I have been off of the oral antibiotic for a few days and am still having some side effects. My skin is not as red or bumpy as it was before taking the medication, but it is not 'clear' either."

• sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2018

Doxycycline for Bacterial Infection "Dr. gave me doxy hyclate, and within 1 hour, I was really ill, with diarrhea, severe headache, shaking, and palpitations. I was ready to call 911. Horrible drug - do not take."

• llw...
• November 28, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I took one tablet for my sinus infection and was severely ill for 36 hours. Uncontrolled vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and body aches. I probably should have gone to the hospital."

• Sra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2015

For Acne "While it has worked for my acne (amazingly), the side effects have included tingling of the arm, face, and hand, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, chest pain, and dizziness. I will have to cease taking it."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2015

For Bronchitis "First time taking it, found out after a week of taking it I'm allergic to it... red itchy rash from head to toe. And now I have diarrhea too, ugh."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Severe stomach cramping, stomach pains, diarrhea. They should stick to using it for acne!"