How to use Doxycycline 50mg Capsules for Acne  

Always take Doxycycline as prescribed by your pharmacist. Don’t try to take more thinking it will be more effective and help you clear your skin faster, it doesn’t work like that and could just mess you up with side effects and possible act numb to your acne. Never take more than the dose prescribed to you; it won’t clear your acne faster.  

For acne, it’s normally prescribed as one 50mg capsule a day. Take it with some food or at least a decent amount of water (like a glass, 150ml or more). The treatment usually goes on for 6–12 weeks, depending on how your skin is reacting.  

If you forget a dose  

No worries, just take it when you remember, unless it’s close to the time for your next one. If it is, then there’s no need to take the missed one; just return to your regular schedule. Never do a double; it has no extra effect. Doing two at once does absolutely nothing to help your skin.  

If you’re a forgetter (I’ve been that so many times), set an alarm on your phone, do whatever works for you to stay on track with your treatment. 

If you take too much  

Don’t panic, taking one extra capsule by accident usually won’t have any effect on you. But if you’ve taken more than that, or you’re feeling rough, get in touch with your pharmacist, or contact us for medical advice.  

Who should not take Doxycycline 50mg 28 Capsules?  

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for taking doxycycline. To be sure the treatment is okay for you, tell your pharmacist if you are or have noticed any of these before taking this medication. 

• Have you ever had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or any other medicine?  
• Have an inflamed food pipe   
• Have myasthenia gravis  
• Have kidney or liver problems  
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding  
• Have lupus  

Most people take Doxycycline and are fine, maybe you might get an upset stomach here and there, but nothing really to worry about. Still, with any medication you take, there are possible side effects you should be aware of. Some are super common and not really a big deal, and others are rare but more serious, where you’d need to get medical help.  

Stop taking your medicine and seek immediate medical help if you notice any of the following: 

• A ringing or buzzing noise in the ears   
• Severe skin reactions such as Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Toxic epidermal necrolysis  
• Signs of an allergic reaction  
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart)  
• Worsening of lupus symptoms   
• Fever, swollen lymph nodes, or rash (could be DRESS syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction) 

Common Side Effects (more than 1 in 10 people)  

These are the ones you’re most likely to notice, especially in the first few weeks of treatment:  

• Feeling sick (nausea) or actually being sick (vomiting)  
• Upset stomach, stomach pain, or indigestion  
• Diarrhoea   
• Headaches  
• Sensitivity to sunlight (you might burn way quicker than normal, so sunscreen and shade are your best mates)  

These usually settle once your body gets used to the medicine.  

Uncommon Side Effects (up to 1 in 100 people)  

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded  
• Loss of appetite  
• Skin rashes or itching  
• Thrush (oral or vaginal – because antibiotics can mess with your natural balance)  
• Tooth staining (rare but more likely if you’re on it for a long time)  

Rare but Serious Side Effects (less than 1 in 1,000 people)  

• Allergic reactions  
• Severe skin reactions  
• Liver problems   
• Raised pressure in the brain   
• Blood problems