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Original poster

I’ve been given doxycycline

37 replies

Soubriquet · 14/04/2020 18:58

And wow...some of these instructions!!

So can a professional tell me why:-

I have to take them upright and remain upright for 30 minutes

I have to take a full glass of water with them

Why I have to stay out of the sunlight...even on a cloudy day Confused

I didn’t see a doctor for these so wasn’t able to talk to him. They were given to me over a phone consultation

OP posts:
Tarararara · 14/04/2020 19:53

Not a professional, but my doctor told me he first two are because the tablets can cause irritation/corrosion as they go down, so you need to ensure they are rapidly washed down into the stomach where they can't do any harm. I was on them for a long time (about 3 months) and ended up with an area of inflamed tongue at the back of my mouth where I placed the tablet before taking a drink of water, so I would recommend taking a mouthful of water then adding the tablet if you are able to (i cant take tablets like that, i end up not swallowing the tablet, then start to gag!)

The sun question, I have no idea. I didn't adjust my behaviour at all, but it was winter.

aladyofinderterminateage · 14/04/2020 19:57

Have you read the patient information leaflet in the pack?

MistyIsland · 14/04/2020 19:59

Sitting upright is to make sure they go into the stomach and don’t dissolve in tubes as they can cause some nasty damage.

Sunlight is because it can increase your skins sensitivity to UV rays

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General health
elfycat · 14/04/2020 19:59

It makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so you're more likely to end up with sunburn and itchy heat rash.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 14/04/2020 20:00

I have yes

Which is why I know what not to do. But it doesn’t say why I can’t do it

OP posts:
Original poster
Soubriquet · 14/04/2020 20:00

Ah thank you

Interesting

OP posts:
mummagirl · 14/04/2020 20:03

I take them every day for a skin condition
If I don't take them with food I feel very nauseous and I'll all day. I also need to drink lots of water.

Mangosocks · 14/04/2020 20:03

Had the worst pain ever from sunburn on doxy, was tempted to try and slice my back open to try and relieve the pain! You avoid the sun on a cloudy day as you can still get burnt, clouds don't completely block UV raysm

Bagelsandbrie · 14/04/2020 20:05

Amazing antibiotics. They have cured me of pneumonia a few times. But yes you do need to watch for stomach and throat irritation with them and they can cause a nasty rash if you go out in the sun. Well worth it though if they get rid of whatever it is that you have.

UnholyStramash · 14/04/2020 20:10

The third instruction must be because this medication causes sun sensitivity. I’m on a medication that likewise makes skin much more sensitive to sunlight. I don’t spend huge amounts of time in strong sunshine, I use Factor 50 sun screen if the sun is strong, sometimes a fetching sun hat too. I’m also blond and blue eyed & my medication also increases risk of skin cancer though I reckon these are balanced somewhat by living in Scotland!

user1471453601 · 14/04/2020 20:11

I was prescribed this drug the day before I went to Greece. I observed the "no sun" rule. But, please don't take them on an empty stomach. I vomited, quite spectacularly in a teaverna having done just that. The taverna owners were very sympathetic, but I don't think it did much for their business

Original poster
Soubriquet · 14/04/2020 20:11

Thank you

I have suspected pneumonia or bronchitis.

But I could just as easily have corona.

So they are covering bases with antibiotics and go from there if no change (not sick enough for hospital)

OP posts:
practicallyperfectwithprosecco · 14/04/2020 20:12

How long do you have to avoid sun for? I took these in February for pneumonia, went in garden at weekend and got sunburnt!! I've never burnt before - my skin normally tans.

Ikeameatballs · 14/04/2020 20:12

I got significant facial pigmentation in the sun on doxycycline.

legalseagull · 14/04/2020 20:14

I wasn't told any of this when I had them last year!!! I had them for pneumonia and one day two I was hospitalised because I could not stop violently vomiting. They said it was likely a reaction to the meds. I certainly wasn't remaining upright for any period of time or washing them down with lots of water. The only thing I was told was to stop breastfeeding as it can make your babies teeth grow through brown!

Original poster
Soubriquet · 14/04/2020 20:20

Weird

I have about 3 warning labels back to back on the box

I haven’t had anything like that before and I’ve had quite a few meds

OP posts:
User202004 · 14/04/2020 20:23

Be careful downing with a glass of water, these made me sick within minutes of taking them, not sure if i was too enthusiastic with the water!

User202004 · 14/04/2020 20:25

I was on a drug called Roaccutane for acne, I was on them for 6 months and they had a similar effect with the sun, I managed to get sunburnt driving to work for 20 mins on a cloudy day!

Bobbiepin · 14/04/2020 20:28

Not that it would matter at the moment but they also work quite well as an anti malarial. You know, for all the tropical travel you'll be doing at the moment.

justdontatme · 14/04/2020 20:30

I’ve taken them for several months as an anti malarial. It never caused any issues with the sun sensitivity for me but I did find if I wasn’t careful about when I took them I would feel like I had something in my throat for the rest of the day.

Punxsutawney · 14/04/2020 20:36

15 year old Ds started these about three weeks ago for acne. He has 3 months worth at the moment. He was taking lymecycline but they stopped working. He's not had any issues so far but it's useful to know about some of the problems they could cause.

I hope they work for you soubriquet and you feel better soon.

Bagelsandbrie · 14/04/2020 20:36

There have been reports that 111 have been prescribing this in cases of people having Covid 19 symptoms to prevent / treat pneumonia infection but also because there is some evidence that anti malarial drugs work against Covid - and doxy is anti malarial too. Two birds one stone etc.

bathorshower · 14/04/2020 20:42

I took them as an antimalarial. I strongly recommend you take them with/just after food - I suspect (hope!) I was on a lower dose than you, and I certainly noticed nausea. As well as sun sensitivity - ideal when you're very pale in a tropical country.....

Tiredmum100 · 14/04/2020 20:57

I always eat with them or end feeling sick!

goingoverground · 14/04/2020 21:23

It's because UV sensitivity is a side effect and it can cause oesophagitis so you want to wash it down. It can also cause acid reflux so stay upright (sitting or standing) for 30 minutes after taking them.