Can I take doxycycline if I am allergic to penicillin?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 16, 2023.
Doxycycline belongs to a class of drugs called Tetracyclines. Tetracyclines are unrelated to penicillins and therefore are safe to take in hypersensitive patients.
Other unrelated antibiotics include quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin), macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin), aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin) and glycopeptides (e.g. vancomycin).
Penicillin belongs to a class of drugs called beta-lactam antibiotics. These drugs include penicillin and amoxicillin. They are used to treat many common bacterial infections including skin, ear, sinus and upper respiratory infections.
Penicillin allergy is an overreaction by your immune system to penicillin and other antibiotics in the beta-lactam family and closely related antibiotics, including some cephalosporins.
For more information on penicillin allergy see:
Read next
Is Doxycycline safe for dogs? Uses, dosage, side effects
Doxycycline is usually well tolerated and is considered safe for dogs. It is widely prescribed for a range of different conditions such as bacterial infections and oral gum disease. Continue reading
Should doxycycline be taken with food?
Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used to treat many different bacterial infections and skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Different doxycycline products may have different instructions for how to take the medication. In general, most brands of doxycycline may be taken with food. Continue reading
Doxycycline for STDs
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that may be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex to help prevent common STDs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. This is known as the STD morning-after-pill or Doxy PEP. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What are the most common skin conditions? (with photos)
- What are the best antibiotics for pneumonia?
- What is the best antibiotic to treat a sinus infection?
- How long after stopping doxycycline can I drink alcohol?
- Does Doxycycline make you tired?
- What causes black hairy tongue?
- What is doxycycline hyclate used for?
- How long does doxycycline stay in your body?
- Can I take doxycycline hyclate for strep throat?
- Can taking doxycycline for acne worsen my skin?
- Can you smoke cigarettes or marijuana on doxycycline hyclate?
- Is doxycycline hydrochloride 100mg a sulfa based drug?
- Will it be harmful to take doxycycline with iron supplements?
- Does doxycycline cause kidney pain?
Drug information
- Doxycycline Information for Consumers
- Doxycycline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Doxycycline (detailed)
Related support groups
- Doxycycline (128 questions, 254 members)
- Penicillin (104 questions, 111 members)
- Allergies (169 questions, 461 members)