Doxycycline and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2025

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Each time I take doxycycline, my side effects can vary greatly. I used to tolerate it okay, but now I experience a range of side effects from dizziness and nausea, but eating alongside the medication helps prevent this usually. Joint pain and headaches tend to peak around day 3-4, and I feel a bit anxious and depressed or moody sometimes, and sadly nothing helps this. It's been rare that I've been able to complete a full course, but thankfully my infection usually clears, and if it doesn't, I'll take another medication. I do tend to have more energy with the medication, and in addition, it tends to help infections quickly. My options are limited due to allergies. I had a major sinus infection this time and fluid in the ears. I experienced severe headaches, nausea, fatigue, and congestion from mucus flooding down my throat. It was absolutely horrible, and I was in so much pain. Doxycycline has taken away most symptoms overnight. Side effects seem worth it right now."

• sel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2015

For Lyme Disease "Diagnosed with Lyme after years of false negative testing for the disease. I was prescribed 200 mg of doxy daily. I tolerated it for about 18 days before I had an allergic reaction. Rash all over my body, headaches, blood-red eye. I thought that I had pink eye again! Stopped the medicine and began a course of Amox after a week. Hope it works. I did experience extreme fatigue and additional Lyme symptoms after about 4 days on the medicine...from what I understand, that is called a 'herk' effect. Rash, itching, and eyes cleared up within 3 days of ceasing the doxy and taking lots of Benadryl."

• msm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed this for a sinus infection. After a day, I began getting diarrhea. Then a couple of days later, severe headaches that only got worse. Also, neck pain. Plus, my sinuses are so dry and my hair looks awful. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It's too strong!"

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2018

For Lyme Disease "I’m 18. I found the tick on the top of my butt, and I was getting ready to get dressed for graduation when I noticed it. My doctor prescribed me this as soon as she saw the mark, it didn’t really look like a bullseye at all to me. 30 minutes after I took it the next morning on an empty stomach, like said, I threw up for a while, I couldn’t eat a thing. Now I take it after I eat, and I feel a lot better. I get headaches, a bad headache now and again, and I also feel tired sometimes, but I don’t have any bathroom issues."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed doxycycline for a sinus infection. I took it for 3 days and had to stop. It has raised my blood pressure to stroke level, caused severe pressure in my head, severely dry sinuses, constant ringing in my ears, and a headache that wouldn't go away! It's been 47 hours since I took the last dose, and the only side effect that is starting to get a little better is the dry sinuses. My blood pressure is still extremely high. I have an appointment with a different doctor tomorrow. I hope he can help me with getting rid of some of these side effects that don't want to go away."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Acne "Used Apo doxycycline for a month. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and severe headaches. I also developed sensitivity to light. It cleared most of my skin, but the side effects were really bad, and I had to stop. I should have stopped earlier but was so desperate to get rid of my acne that I kept going for a month. Within a week of stopping treatment, my acne came back. Meanwhile, it took a few months for my gut to feel normal again. My appetite only returned to normal after about 3 months. This treatment was very disappointing as it cleared my acne short-term but was not sustainable and had terrible side effects. I am now using Duac gel, which has no side effects and has reduced my acne."

• Ros...
• April 23, 2015

For Acne "I am a 27-year-old female and started taking doxycycline for acne 4 days ago. I have never had acne in my life up until recently, and my dermatologist prescribed me this. I was a little skeptical to take an antibiotic for acne, but so far it's working! I would have a few large, painful pimples at a time along with many small comedones on my forehead and chin, but after only 4 days of taking this, I have seen a significant change! The pimples are receding, and I notice less and less comedones every day! I have not had any issues with nausea or headache, but I have made sure to take it with a decent amount of food every day."

• Rai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2019

For Bronchitis "I had tried this drug before in the past for bronchitis and had to stop on day 2 because of a headache, dizziness, and an overall feeling of being out of it. Yesterday, the doctor prescribed it to me again for bronchitis, 100 mg x 2 a day. Took the first pill last night and woke up to a pounding headache and feeling out of it again. Called the pharmacist, and he informed me that with these reactions, I should NOT take it again. There is a risk of cerebral hypertension that not a lot of people mention. If you are feeling dizzy with a headache on this medication, you should call your pharmacist and doctor just to be on the safe side. I wished I could have taken it as I started to see improvement in my symptoms of bronchitis the last time I took it within 2 doses. Guess I'll have to stick to the Z-Pak and hope it can knock this out of me."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I've been taking this drug for 5 days now for folliculitis. The 1st time I took it, I was violently sick within 5 minutes. I've been suffering with headaches and nausea (feeling really drunk, room spinning) for these 5 days. I've found my skin is so tender and feels really raw and very dry. Day 5, and I've woken up to vaginal dryness, which I'm guessing is due to this being a bacterial antibiotic, so it's pretty uncomfortable. I haven't noticed any improvement, but it's only day 5. I was prescribed a 60-day course. Hope it works, as I've been struggling for nearly 10 years with this skin infection."

• msg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 10, 2018

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "There are 2 types of doxycycline: doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate. I have taken both for perioral dermatitis. The 1st time I took doxycycline monohydrate with absolutely no side effects. The 2nd time I took doxycycline hyclate because my perioral dermatitis didn't go away. From the beginning with doxycycline hyclate, I had side effects of severe fatigue, feeling shaky, headaches, achiness, tingly fingertips, painful carpal tunnel, pain in my neck, numbness, and tingling in my right arm, elbow, and up to my armpit. This medication gives you a feeling of being very ill. I will be putting this medication on my RX list of 'do not prescribe to patient.'"

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2015

For Acne "Just been given another 5-month dosage of doxycycline, benzoyl peroxide (5%) and tretinoin (0.05%). It started off getting worse, but within two weeks, I started to see a major improvement in my skin. I hardly get any acne anymore, just the scarring on my chest and on my face. Hopefully, this will help clear it all up. When I first started taking the doxycycline, I felt sick and had slight headaches, but make sure to eat food first and then take the pills! It really does help."

• tom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 30, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "3 years ago I was diagnosed with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), 30 days of doxy. The first year after, I had major bathroom problems, a headache that lasted 6 months. I wanted to die. I went to an eye doctor, the bacteria was hiding in my oil ducts. More doxy and glasses. I can't produce tears anymore, I have dry eye syndrome. 2 years later, I started smelling a peroxide odor in my nose. Went to the doctor, I had a staph infection in my nose from no tears and more doxy. More digestive problems. This year, I was feeling really down, my wife begged me to get blood done. I went, and my RMSF numbers doubled. 30 days of doxy, this time I exercise, yoga every morning. I eat no yeast, gluten, red meat, and no sugar. And I eat probiotics and prebiotics. Mineral water. And no vitamins or supplements."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

For Bronchitis "On 10-5-16, my teen was given 11 doses of doxy, over 9 days, who has autoimmune disease/allergies, IgA deficiency since birth, by school clinic nurse. 2nd dose of different antibiotic in 30 days for unresolved sinus infection turned bronchitis. Nurse advised, in 10 years of administering, no problems, never not worked. My daughter is not well. Side effects made her sicker. I became alarmed when a short car ride caused motion sickness, weakness while shopping, all weekend she complained, 'Mom, something's not right. Something's wrong! My body's not right.' Symptoms included: headache, nausea, joint pain in hands, deep sore throat pain, still has congestion in chest, unusual tiredness. I couldn't get her to stay awake this morning!"

• Cha...
• March 23, 2020

For Pneumonia "Doxycycline worked well to help with my pneumonia. On the first day when I took it on an empty stomach, I felt fine, but as the next few days went by, I had some intense nausea, a mean headache, severe stomach pain, and I even vomited water back up along with mucus. I mean, it works, but I mean, with some of the side effects, it makes you wonder if it's really worth taking this specific medicine. I would seriously recommend eating when you take this medicine."

• RIL...
• October 25, 2017

For Lyme Disease "I began to feel ill in mid-June 2017. Muscle aches, mild fever, severe headaches, imbalance, and just out of it. I could feel the veins in my head throbbing. It felt heavy. I saw my primary care who said I was coming down with something. Sent me for some blood work and referred me to a neurologist for the severe headaches. I saw the neurologist at the end of July (earliest appointment due to a cancellation). I was sent for an MRI, normal. Sent to an ENT, normal. Sent to my eye doctor, normal. In October, I finally had a West blot and other tests done and came up positive for Anaplasmosis. Began doxycycline for 12 days. Headaches have seemed to go away but still having some issues. Next visit is with the Lyme specialist."

• Env...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2018

For Acne "I have been on this medication for what seems like a decade (but the reality is that it has been only 6-8 months). I don’t have severe acne, I suffer with breakouts that appear out of the blue around my mouth mostly and sometimes on my cheeks. This medication for me is extremely helpful if used correctly. When I first started taking it, I experienced the side effects of nausea, headaches, vomiting, etc., but this was only because I was not taking it correctly. For me, it was imperative to ensure I had food in my stomach and to take it regularly. This was every day, at the same time, preferably after food. But when I followed this regime, my cyst-like pimples cleared, and I only get the occasional tiny whitehead. However, if I forget to take it even for one day, my skin will react, causing pimples again. My doctor did recommend that I not stay on this medication for longer than 3 months, but when I expressed my reluctance to go off it, he prescribed it again. My advice is definitely to always take this with food!"

• 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."

• R2M...
• April 14, 2014

For Prostatitis "Treated with doxycycline (2 months) for prostatitis. Nausea, headaches, and more came with taking this medicine. Body just couldn't adjust. Symptoms seemed to improve, but the side effects were just too much for me (personally). On Cipro now."

• Nat...
• October 6, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I'm not sure how much of a rating to give for this drug. I am taking doxycycline for a sinus infection and clearing of my chest, 2 a day for 7 days. I took my first two at a time last night and took my first single dose this a.m. I still have a headache, pain in my neck from the chest congestion. I don't have stomach issues so far, but I still feel crappy. I sleep with this medication, I had a great sleep last night, and today I slept all day. I'm still tired. I didn't read the information properly, I did not take a full glass of water with the pills - oops. Didn't do anything bad, though, but now I know."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2018

For Bronchitis "I went to the doctor's the day after my trip on a plane because I woke up with a severe sore throat and could hardly swallow. He asked me if I was coughing, I said not yet, but I can't breathe too well. After the visit, he says I have acute bronchitis and prescribed doxycycline. The first day I had bad headaches, but Tylenol usually helps and it helped me sleep. The second day I started coughing and lots of green mucus (sorry that sounds awful), but I can now breathe. The only side effects I had are headaches and muscle spasms, and oh, my toes when I'm trying to sleep. I've had no stomach problems. I have to take them for 7 days and I will see how I feel. I have not been sick with the flu, cold, bronchitis, pneumonia for over 8 years, so this getting sick is terrible for me. I blame it on the plane ride."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2021

For Pelvic Inflammatory Disease "Taken my first few tablets, and from someone who has bad anxiety, the stress I felt before taking these tablets wasn’t worth it. Don’t let the reviews scare you. A few hours after taking it, I felt sick and had a bit of a headache, but that was gone after a few sips of water. Later on, I was throwing up, but it was foamy and watery because I hadn’t eaten much due to no appetite. Other than the odd heart palpitation, I feel fine. I had PID, and I’ve been prescribed two different kinds of antibiotics, but haven’t started the second lot due to all the bad reviews, and I’m going to find a different way. But if you want to get better, then please start the tablets. My biggest fear is getting sepsis or some kind of blood infection if it spreads, but I know the chances of that are very low due to the fact I’m a healthy 18-year-old. Take the tablets about 10 minutes after eating, and make sure you’re sitting up, have some water next to you, and get some fresh air. Hope you're okay."

• Irm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Pneumonia "I am on my first day of using doxycycline, and after the second dosage, I started to feel the improvement of my bacterial pneumonia. Please eat before taking the medication. Yes, it will make you nauseous, yes, it will give you headaches, the cons of taking a strong antibiotic. Drink a full glass (8 oz) of water when you take it. Avoid dairy foods for about 3-4 hours after taking it. Also, take a probiotic 4 hours after taking the doxy, you don't want it to kill off the good bacteria you have. And a MUST, FINISH THE COURSE. You can't expect it to work wonders right away."

• Kan...
• January 12, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Started Doxy and was fine. I am allergic to penicillins. Within a few days, I had the worst headache ever, and by the end of the course, I had severe nausea and restless legs. Feeling really drained and tired all day but can't sleep at night. The worst a/b I have ever taken."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2020

For Acne "I started this medication, doxycycline, to go along with Retin A for acne, and I was only on it for 3 days before I had to stop it. I started it on a Tuesday night, and all day Wednesday and Thursday, I had the worst headache ever. I would feel a little better in the morning, then take the medicine, and 30 minutes later, the jarring headache was back. So I am just going to stick with the topical. Personally, it’s not worth having a horrible headache every day. Plus, I was reading about the brain swelling that can cause vision damage, which freaked me out."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "I started having pain over my ovaries and really bad-smelling discharge, so I decided to go to the clinic for an exam. Come to find out I have chlamydia. I was prescribed the medicine, and within the same day of the first dosage, I took everything cleared up, from the discharge to the odor and pain. However, I experience very painful migraines and get nauseous when I take them. My doctor told me to eat a full meal before taking them and to avoid dairy. Not taking them on an empty stomach helps, but I still get the headaches. Halfway finished with it, and can't wait to be done!"