Doxycycline and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• Dyi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Initially was prescribed an antibiotic that interacted negatively with a drug I already take. Was then prescribed doxy. Tried to be optimistic as I was really sick with a chest infection, I believe bronchitis, the doctor didn't really seem to know. That should have been my first clue. Anyway, my first sign was my lips got really puffy. Then it felt like I was being choked. Keep in mind I already can't breathe from my illness! I made it through the night, but the next day the stomach pain starts. Bowels working as normal. I take 4 pills total before it gets to my mind. I feel so jittery that I can't stand myself. Anyway, I am giving up, I can't take anymore. I'm literally sitting here waiting for it to leave my system. It seems dramatic, but I feel like I'm dying. Hate this medication!!"

• Whi...
• May 16, 2011

Doxycycline for Lyme Disease "Medicine was effective to a degree it ameliorated muscle pain, joint inflammation, and mild-to-severe headaches. Inflammation/rash in upper body area (predominantly on the back) occurred within a week of beginning three-week regimen-persisted until end of ingestion, though it faded in both discoloration and swelling, as well as itching, over time. Some blurred vision and intestinal discomfort occurred, but was not debilitating to any significant degree. While fatigue was lessened somewhat, it did not preclude a general feeling of somnambulism or sleepiness, which my physician says may persist for a few weeks or even months. Overall, I’d rate this as an effective medication against the Lyme Disease I developed."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Doctor prescribed doxy for sinus infection. After 3 days, I am experiencing huge headaches, stomach pain, and muscle pains. Am stopping this medication now. The pain it is causing me isn’t worth taking any more."

• Alx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2022

For Pneumonia "So to start, I was first prescribed a Z-Pak: Azithromycin for suggestive pneumonitis. I’ve taken a Z-Pak before, so I thought nothing of it. Unfortunately, I had the worst watery diarrhea and stomach pain an hour after taking it, along with a fast heartbeat. I took it with food and everything. Those are not good side effects, by the way. Yikes. So I made an urgent care virtual visit, and that doctor prescribed me Doxycycline. I was terrified to take it because I reacted badly to the other antibiotic. I'm pleased to report I’ve had NO side effects at all. Not even a stomachache! Literally no side effects. I'm so happy! I'm supposed to take it twice daily for a week, and I'm almost halfway through it. It’s too early to tell if it’s working for the pneumonitis or not, but I'm happy to keep taking it because I feel nothing from it! If you’re on the fence, just take it and see what happens!"

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I didn’t think it was even working for my sinusitis because I had basically no side effects, but the infection cleared very quickly. I had just switched because of a terrible Augmentin reaction, but this was a cakewalk. Teeth sensitivity and a little bit of gastric pain if I didn’t take it with food. Sunburns my skin and a very minor headache. I’ve been taking probiotics daily, but other than that, I’m very happy with the results."

• IMi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

For Chlamydia Infection "It has literally been 6 or 7 times I've gotten chlamydial infections. Usually, azithromycin 1-time pills kill it within 48 hours. Not this time. Azithromycin didn't work. After 3 days, I went back and got doxycycline. It literally took 7 days to work. This was a nightmare. But doxy works. Stomach trouble comes with it. I actually think I have IBS from all the antibiotics from STDs. That is all."

• ron...
• June 1, 2014

For Acne "I had mild acne for almost 2 years and kept it at bay using over-the-counter treatments such as face washes and Proactiv (which didn't work at all). As I approached the 9th grade, my doctor put me on doxycycline to prevent scarring. Even after the first week, I saw immediate results! It was truly amazing after 6 weeks. I sometimes have bad stomach pain and peeling skin, but it's really a small price to pay for good skin. Even though I still have mild breakouts and some larger pimples, I have another month to go on my prescription. HIGHLY RECOMMEND, IT KEPT ME OFF ACCUTANE."

• Bet...
• July 8, 2014

For Acne "I used doxycycline, and I really loved the results. The reason why I'm writing here is that I see everyone is getting sore stomachs or discomfort, and I did get that too. I went to my beautician, and she said to take a prebiotic before you take doxycycline. I tried it, and it really worked! My stomach pains were gone, and my skin was clearing. No harm in trying, so go for it."

• bad...
• April 17, 2012

For Bronchitis "Have been prescribed doxycycline for bronchitis, also have asthma and have been on Prednisone steroids alongside the antibiotics. Side effects experienced: increased urination, slow urine flow, severe kidney pain, headaches, stomach pain, yeast infection (male). Out of all the antibiotics ever in my system, these have the worst side effects. The chest infection has passed in 5 days."

• Jes...
• October 3, 2013

For Acne "I have been on this medication for one month, and my cystic acne is completely gone as a result, but it didn't clear up completely until week 3. I give this a 10 for the results. However, there is a long list of bad side effects for this medication, and I suffered many of them. I had severe stomach pains. The pain wouldn't last long, but it came on quick and strong before stopping. I also had some digestive issues, and an upset, gurgling stomach non-stop for the first week or two. I also got bad headaches and had no appetite for two weeks. It also made me nauseated at first. After week two, the side effects stopped, but it was a rough start."

• kcs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2013

For Lyme Disease "I have been prescribed this medication two times, and both times, after several weeks of taking it, I developed severe stomach pain resulting in vomiting. I also had severe sunburn after 15 minutes in the sun. Mild itching all over."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2010

Doxycycline for Acne "I went to the dermatologist last week, and already I have been seeing AMAZING results! My acne before wasn't awful, but I wanted it to be completely gone. So my doctor prescribed me Doryx and CeraVe face lotion. So far, I haven't had any breakouts, and my pore size has shrunk. Also, I haven't had any stomach pains. Good luck!"

• 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."

• Tre...
• August 9, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "This review is to help others, though we are all different in reactions, it's always good to know. Taking this medication, and it seems to be working. After the third day, my bloating and fatigue (from chlamydia) went away (luckily I caught the symptoms relatively early from the STD). Taking it twice a day, 100 mg for 10 days (better to be safe). Side effects seem to have increased (nausea and stomach pains) because on my third day, I was out in extreme heat/sun and forgot while outdoors that I was under antibiotics, whoops. Medicine is doing its job, though tackling symptoms since I lose my appetite... I wish everyone well."

• Aer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2013

For Acne "I was prescribed this after about 7 years of chronic acne on my face, shoulders, chest, and back since I was about 11. Every face wash and diet change did nothing to help it. I wish I'd taken doxycycline sooner, it's absolutely amazing. I started noticing less redness and bad pimples after about three days, and it obliterated the ones that were already there. After 2-3 weeks, I only had a few blackheads, and even those were few and far between. Really great stuff. Been using it for 3 months so far. I've had no nasty side effects (apart from dehydration in the morning sometimes) up until today when I forgot to take it with food (oops!) and experienced about 20 minutes of severe stomach pains afterwards. Overall, brilliant stuff."

• 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."

• nae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2015

For Acne "This medicine will for sure work. Many people have different reactions, but for me, this is slowly, and I mean slowly clearing my skin up. I have a weird type of acne: raised bumps. They look like a rash, and the pus does not come out on the surface. I have it all over my face, and I've tried everything to make it go away. I am not sure what this type of acne is called. I am still on doxy, and a good amount of my acne has cleared up, and I'm waiting until it's all gone. If you are deciding to take this medicine, it will push all of the bad stuff out. Be prepared. Also, be prepared for the side effects; I get terrible stomach pains sometimes when I'm on it. But otherwise, I recommend this medicine for everyone!"

• Ano...
• January 3, 2017

For Acne "I have been on doxycycline hyclate (100 mg once a day) for 3 months now, and it has worked wonders for me. At first, I was taking it on an empty stomach like it was recommended, but I found that it gave me extreme nausea and stomach pains. I then started taking it 2 hours after my meals, and my stomach pains stopped. It's taken a while for my body to get used to the medication, but after about a month, my acne started to go away. At the 2-month mark, all of my acne was gone. It takes time, but it has worked wonders for me."

• Dan...
• December 31, 2019

For Bronchitis "Took after 8 days of doxycycline for an unrelenting chest cough. Caused stomach pain, vomiting, throbbing head, and nausea. I finally checked my blood pressure, and it had spiked to 185/125, a hypertensive emergency that could cause stroke and organ damage. This is a terrible medication to prescribe!!"

• Ash...
• February 21, 2014

For Acne "I am an almost 16-year-old girl, and I have had acne for about four years. I have a fair amount of acne scars and also regular acne bumps, and I went to the dermatologist, and she prescribed me the pill and a benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin face wash that I use twice a day, when I wake up and right before bed. She also gave me a cream for the morning and Ziana for night, and I started all of this 7 days ago, and the redness in my skin has gone down, and the size of my pimples has gone down. Fingers crossed it keeps going down, and my acne scars clear up eventually, and the only side effects I have experienced are pain in the stomach and nausea, but I haven't experienced either since the day before yesterday."

• RMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2022

For Bronchitis "After 5 months of nightmare sinus issues, short of breath, burning in chest, back pain, sore throat, mouth infection, raspy voice... My reg doctor and ENT specialist, along with a lung specialist, could not help me! CT scan clear, x-ray clear?? I was taking antibiotics and no help... I knew I had inflammation in my bronchial tubes because prednisone would help me for a very short time. After reading about the possibility that I had a bacterial infection that no one was looking for... I read that doxycycline 100 was a great treatment for this! I had some in my home from a prior issue but never needed them! I took 2 per day, morning and night (200) for the first 3 days, then went down to one a day for another 5 days. After the 1st pill, I was feeling 50% better, and after day 3, 100% better!!!!! Side effects were awful: nausea, stomach pain, constipation, headache, short breath, chest pressure, sore throat, lol.... but it was all worth it!! Can’t wait to tell my doctors, thanks for nothing!!!!"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2017

For Acne "I was given this medicine for mild to moderate, superficial acne. I stopped taking it after three months because I hated the side effects - vomiting, stomach pain, and I got an ulcer in my esophagus at one point. It helped my skin for a while and quite quickly. It wasn’t completely clear, but I could look in the mirror without crying. However, when I stopped taking it, my acne got worse. It had never been as bad as when I came off the medicine. Also, any time I missed a single dose, my skin would get a little bit worse. I feel like I’d need to take this forever for it to make my skin bearable, so it’s not very good."

• n h...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2017

For Acne "I began taking this about a week ago, and my skin has cleared up immensely! I have had many acne prescriptions before (all topical), but they always made my face swell up and caused my skin to worsen :( My dermatologist prescribed doxy for 3 months (100 mg), and after I finish my 3 months, my dermatologist said she'll prescribe me Accutane to hopefully get rid of my acne permanently. I HIGHLY suggest taking this with food and plenty of water. My first mistake was taking it on an empty stomach, which caused nausea and throwing up. Make sure to NOT lie down after taking this pill, as it could cause ulcers in your esophagus. Although this does cause me stomach pain throughout the day, the results are 100% worth it. I'm excited to see my progress."

• San...
• December 27, 2019

For Acne "I had never suffered from acne. Eight months ago, I began to notice that the pimples that used to disappear after several days began to take much longer or not disappear at all. I have moderate acne, mainly pustules and papules. It was when I decided to visit a dermatologist. I was prescribed 100 mg doxycycline once a day for six weeks & see from there. I have now completed taking this medicine along with topical creams & I have NOT seen absolute improvement. The inflammation is worse than when I started. As for the side effects, I experienced the typical effects of an antibiotic (nausea, stomach pain), though extreme tiredness up to two hours after taking it, and that's why I decided to take them at night after dinner. I rate them with a 2 since although it did not prevent me from getting more acne, it caused the acne to remain concentrated only in the cheeks & chin. The doctor decided to finish the treatment with this antibiotic at six weeks and wants to try birth control pills for the next six months."

• 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."