To think doxycycline isn’t right for this and the doctor is wrong?

[Gaaaaaa]

I’ve been give a five day course of doxycycline for a throat infection. I’ve not been swabbed so I don’t know which specific bacteria it is. I’m allergic to penicillin which is why I was prescribed doxycycline. However, after looking online it seems this doesn’t usually work on throat infections?! I’m very worried as I have a job interview on Tuesday and I feel terrible… has anyone had these for a throat infection?

Right, they’d normally prescribe amoxicillin but you can’t have that.

@bridgetreilly that doesn’t mean just prescribe something that doesn’t work though, surely?

Where are you seeing that it doesn’t work?

Usually it's clarithromycin as an alternative to penicillin due to allergy! Doxy is an odd choice for sure

I have no allergies and have been twice prescribed doxycycline for strep throat - it did work!

@Fintoo the leaflet inside, online nhs pages etc

@SusanStrat thanks that’s reassuring, how long was the course?

It’s just an antibiotic. Why wouldn’t it work?

@bridgetreilly ….? Do you know how antibiotics work?

That wouldn’t usually be the antibiotic of choice in people with a penicillin allergy. It would be more usual to use one of the macrolides, typically azithromycin or clarithromycin. I guess it’s possible that GPs have been issued guidance on local patterns of antibiotic resistance which indicate doxycycline is a better choice, or maybe that there is a local shortage of macrolides influencing prescribing choices? Or you may have an allergy recorded against macrolides on your records - it’s worth checking. The good news is even bacterial throat infections usually clear without antibiotics, so your immune system will hopefully do its job and the doxycycline will have a positive impact - it’s just a very blunt sledgehammer to use in a situation where that’s not the most effective tool. Hope you feel better soon - manuka honey and garlic might help speed up your recovery as well, they certainly won’t hurt although not too much garlic too close to your interview maybe!!

I’ve had doxycycline for a throat infection - I’m allergic to penicillin and sensitive to clarithromycin. It did clear it up, I can’t remember what dose I had though.

Being broad spectrum Theresa good chance they will work, keep taking them and see how you feel.

Be careful while you're on them eat regular food of very bland meals as they can cause awful stomach acid. I took them for a while and I couldn't take my late night dose as I couldn't lay down after taking it.

If you need something for your throat for the interview use something like this

https://www.boots.com/ultra-chloraseptic-anaesthetic-throat-spray-15ml-10095640?srsltid=AfmBOoqOQBjeyfCmX--GJQLF-UCibUVSsGKOoqgUz_O-6kFfua1-mHSm

There's another one I think it's called difflam but I have never used it.

I have just finished a cause of doxycycline,viscous sinus and chest infection..the relief has been amazing .

I had it when i was young for throat as it was thought i were allergic to plain penicillin and it cured it.
I had it again recently for a chest infection and it worked even better than amoxicillin, cured it quicker and i felt much.

Clarithromycin is horrific. I can't take that. I'm not sure if I'm allergic to penicillin, but it once gave me hives.

I took doxycycline for a year as a preventative to malaria when I was abroad. Don't think it worked as I got malaria.

I've just finished a prescribed dose of Doxycycline for chest infection. Also allergic to penicillin and am normally prescribed clairythromicin (sp?). When I asked doc why, she said Doxy was specifically for throat/chest infections. Not sure if it's worked yet, but didn't make me feel either better or worse

Thanks everyone. I’m feeling so horrendous and just want it to clear! Only been given five days though

5 days is completely appropriate and in line with guidelines

My previous GP always prescribed Cephalexin for most infections such as ear throat etc.
I remember years ago he was on holiday I was seen by a locum as I had a dull stomach ache weeing a lot and a sore vagina.
The locum said it sounded like a water infection and prescribed Trimethoprim.
I took the Trimethoprim for a week they didnt work and I felt sicker as well.
My usual doctor was not due back for another two weeks so I went to A and E.
I was given a pelvic exam and swabbed. I was sent home with Amoxycillin suspension to take for 10 days.
Two days later I got a call from the hospital they diagnosed me with Chlamydia.
I had started seeing someone new a month before I started feeling ill.
My usual GP got his one of his reception team to phone me when he came back off holiday he had the notes on his computer of my hospital visit including the results.
He said I did the right thing going to hospital because if I hadnt started the Amoxycillin the infection would have got much more worse and spread to my cervix and fallopian tubes.

Doxycycline is an excellent antibiotic. It produces few side effects and is far less likely to cause C diff infection than most of the antibiotics in common use. It's also much easier to take than nearly any other antibiotic needing only once or twice daily administration, depending on the infection (once daily is enough for most infections).

It would be the first choice antibiotic in several infections in penicillin allergic patients and would absolutely cover a strep infection. Many health board (or trust guidelines in England) would suggest a macrolide antibiotic (erythromycin/clarithromycin) but Doxycycline is equally likely to work and may have fewer side effects

gargle with hydrogen peroxide - you can buy it in most pharmacies
google to see the dilution ratio (and to verify I'm not trying to poison you 😂)
it tastes foul, but it is effective (yes, I know you don't drink it, but even gargling is eugh)