Doxycycline and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I started taking this drug and instantly felt nauseous and fatigued to the point where I could not get out of bed. I started taking probiotics with it, which helped with the physical side effects, but the mental side effects were unbearable. I started off feeling extremely depressed, and then came intense waves of anger and anxiety. By my 6th day taking it, I had lost all memory of an entire day, and on the 7th day, I was so low. Luckily, I stopped taking it after the intense dark thoughts. It has been 2 days since I took the antibiotic, and I feel completely normal again. This drug is evil for anyone susceptible to mental health problems - do not take it!!!!"

• 3...
• January 5, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed 7 days of 100 mg, the first day taking 2 pills for a sinus infection. I took the first dose as directed with a glass of water, and within an hour I was doubled over in pain, nauseous, and dizzy. Day 2, I felt a lot of pressure in my head, especially on the right side of my head, really bad ringing in my ears, and feeling like my ears would pop/burst. Today I woke up with a stiff neck and joints, with the right side of my neck really tender to touch, and feeling extremely tired. I took the medication after a full breakfast and started feeling so much pressure in my head, my ears ringing extremely loudly, anxious to the point of what feels like a panic attack. My hands and arms also felt what’s best described as light and tingly. I threw the medication up today on purpose to get it out of my body, and thankfully I had it with a large meal. The rest I have thrown away. I’d rather be sick than take this medication."

• Bum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2017

For Lyme Disease "Over 10 years of Lyme, started having serious neurological symptoms (difficulty speaking, memory loss, tremor, vertigo, and feeling of going crazy). Started a protocol of: - continuously: 2x200mg daily of doxycycline - a month of '4 days on / 3 days off' of 1x500mg azithromycin, then - a month of '5 days on / 2 days off' of 500mg tinidazole - after each month: 5 days of 100mg fluconazole - repeat - continuously: lots of probiotics, healthy diet, and vitamin supplements. I'm starting the 4th month, feeling *much* better (though symptoms return periodically, milder though). First 2 months were very harsh (feeling worse, sweating like crazy, sleepless, and anxious). People advocating against long-term antibiotics haven't experienced real Lyme."

• Gig...
• July 12, 2013

For Lyme Disease "I found a bright red rash on my arm after planting some flowers and vegetables in my yard. I thought at first it was a yellow jacket sting, but I never felt it. By after a few days, my arm began to hurt, and the rash spread. Not a true bull's-eye though. My doctor saw me from across the crowded waiting room and pointed to me and said Lyme. I was prescribed Doxycycline 100mg 2x a day for 14 days. I was unable to take this medicine on an empty stomach because I had severe nausea and diarrhea but didn't want to reduce the effectiveness, so I ate a little something. It made me sleepy and sometimes anxious and sometimes dizzy but not enough to stop the medicines. I pray this Lyme disease is gone for good."

• 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!!"

• Mir...
• March 11, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I never thought I would review a medication, but here we are. That's how bad this stuff is. This medication ruined my life. I had a rash. Third day in, the rash started going away. But I would've rather had the rash. I've never had anxiety in my life, and this made my heart rate around 110 BPM. I'm usually 55 BPM. It made my head race. I was convinced I had leukemia, and it was the end of me. I couldn't breathe, I would burst into tears in the middle of volleyball games and cry all night. Thoughts of everyone I love dying were frequent. I googled the side effects and saw anxiety as a symptom. Even if you've never had anxiety, and you think side effects are bogus, take this one seriously. I begged my doctor to mark to never prescribe it to me ever again. Take this with food! I didn't one morning and got very sick in my car on the way to work. A week off now, and I feel good. I was on it for 2 weeks, it took 5-6 days to fully exit my body due to its half-life. Ask your doctor questions. This is no joke."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2023

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I had terrible side effects from doxycycline. Slowly recovering since going off it 2 weeks ago. After 4 days of 100 mg daily for my dermatitis staph infection, I almost passed out. All of a sudden, my head got so heavy and exhausted, and pressure all over my head and behind my eyes. I went to sleep, but my mind felt like it was racing and all confused, like you’d feel if you had a concussion and fever. I woke up in the morning, and my brain felt like it had not slept at all. Brain extremely fatigued. I also had chronic nausea, tinnitus, dizziness, foggy head, confusion, and high anxiety and irritability. It honestly felt like I had suffered a traumatic head injury. I will never take doxycycline again."

• PMo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "I had a sinus/ear issue for some time now, worse at times. This last time, the Z-pack did not help, along with amoxicillin. Sinus always returned until the doctor prescribed doxycycline, which took about 5 days to get going - prescription for 10 days. The side effects for me were some chest pain and some anxiety, taking into account I developed ulcer pain/problems. The chest pain decreased after a week or so. Will stick it out 10 days, hope the sinus/ear infections don't come back."

• Aub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2021

For Lyme Disease "My dad and I got put on this medicine because we both got bit by a tick and started getting a bull's-eye rash. We both were on the medicine for less than 2 weeks. We both got even more sick by being on the medication, we couldn’t even get out of bed. My dad started having personality changes. He was very confused about where he was and what he was doing. This medication causes people to have really bad anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. My dad ended up ending his life while on this medication. Before the medication, he was always happy, joked around with everyone, loved hanging out with his friends and family. He had no history of having anxiety or depression in the past. I do blame doxycycline 100%, and I do not recommend this at all. And if you do decide to take it, make sure you have someone watch you and you talk to someone."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I only have 2 pills left to take of my 7-day prescription, and no improvement in my chest infection. Still coughing so hard I'm pulling muscles in my chest, but now I also have to deal with the horrible side effects (crippling anxiety that keeps me awake all night, zapping/twitching throughout my body, depression, nausea, unable to eat, exhaustion, confusion, racing heartbeat). It has been a complete nightmare. I feel like I'm on death's doorstep. I guess I'll have to try something else tomorrow when I'm done with this horrible medicine since it did nothing except make things much, much worse."

• det...
• October 27, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "Took this for 10 days for urethritis, and this medication had too many side effects or really did not help me. I had flu-like symptoms, anxiety, depression, nausea, and feeling ill, back pain, chills. I will not be taking this medication again. Thankfully, I am done. Going back to the doctor next month, hoping to get something better."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2020

For Pneumonia "I had pneumonia and just finished the 7-day course of doxycycline two days ago. 48 hrs. The side effects using this with antibiotics and prednisone are still affecting me. Increased heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety attacks randomly (I don’t have anxiety), depression bouts where I feel sad, pressure in my head, and bloating and burping. The three combined were awful with side effects. Pretty sure the pneumonia is gone... gotta deal with these side effects until the medications are out of my system. Do not take doxy if you fear side effects."

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

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I've been prescribed doxy (100 mgs) for a slight infection in my chest. I have been taking them for 5 days now. Two together as one dose each day. They are making me extremely sick. I take them with a pint of water after breakfast. Nauseated on and off all day. Diarrhea several times a day. Feeling very anxious and spaced out since starting them. I have palpitations since starting them, and on day 4, I started getting pins and needles in my hands and feet. All day. Thinking of stopping them. It's awful."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Started taking this drug for a sinus infection yesterday because I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics. I feel like the sinus infection is better, but I woke up last night with my whole neck hurting. Felt like it was swollen, having bad acid reflux. I don’t know how to describe it. Thought I would push on through, but I have taken my third dose, and I have felt really anxious the whole day, and tight chest and lump in my throat. Don’t like it."

• Cle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2020

Doxycycline for Rosacea "Been taking Oracea in July and August (8 weeks), and it worked really well, but now, 1 month without, the rosacea is beginning to come back. Hoped for a longer remission, but it is still better than before so far. Had a bit of stress (max trigger), so maybe that's why. Next time I will try taking Oracea without using metronidazole cream at the same time. I don't think my skin likes metronidazole. Best results are areas where I don't use the cream."

• mik...
• December 18, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Felt like I got rolled over by a freight train. I took both doses, and I felt like I was gonna die. It made my chest hurt, and my head felt like it was gonna explode. Oh, did I mention excruciating jaw pain? Then anxiety. Wow, this is a bad med, gonna stop this now."

• Mrs...
• August 7, 2017

For Lyme Disease "Was bit by a tick on my left shoulder June 24, five days later went to my doctor and he blood test did me and did a tick panel test. Both tests came back negative. I have since learned 5 days would be too soon for the antibodies and the bacteria to grow and show. Neck feels swollen on the inside and very stiff, went to an ENT to make sure nothing was wrong internally, he said everything is normal. Been really depressed, which is not my character, anxiety, super fatigue, feel lost. I'm a landscaper, so get ticks often. Went to the doctor Friday 8/1, I believe 2017...had the Western blot test performed, awaiting results, going to PCP and demanding 200 mg doxycycline. Also following up with a Lyme literate doc on 8/31. Will let you know how things go."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Took doxycycline for 5 days. Had to stop it due to increased anxiety and poor mood issues. I already have anxiety, and this increased it to unmanageable levels. Had some minor diarrhea. Good news is I am 2 days off, and anxiety is returning to my norm. It did get rid of the sinus infection in 3 days."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I took this doxy along with a steroid for a sinusitis infection for 10 days, stopped using it on the 7th day. My infection has cleared up, however, the side effects of this aren't worth it, and I'll never use it again. I'm on the 7th day of this, my neck was stiff, and I was extremely hot and had anxiety to the point where I thought I was going to pass out, and my heart and blood pressure were extreme. For me, this would be the equivalent of a cocaine overdose, seriously! Beware."

• Box...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

For Pneumonia "Seven days on a dose of 200 mg doxycycline the first day and 100 mg thereafter was absolutely a nightmare. Extreme fatigue and nausea, high anxiety and heart palpitations, low blood sugar probably stemming from difficulties eating and swallowing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I was on this for 5 days and stopped taking it because my anxiety was bad. I switched to Azithromycin, and that one gave me psychotic thoughts. I got back on Doxycycline, and this time I’m having nausea, anxiety, my mind is racing."

• Hea...
• October 27, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "I was prescribed to take this medication for 10 days due to my chlamydia infection, after I had suffered from bacterial prostatitis. Side effects very mild, mostly upset stomach. In comparison with cipro, which was the worst drug ever (stuffed up my muscles and I had problems concentrating, along with anxiety), this one did not give me so much discomfort. The thing is, it did not clear my infection. This is my day 2 after having to take it again, I still have the symptoms. The thing is, I was prescribed 3 doses of azithromycin as well, so I don't know what to do to get rid of this bacteria. I hope this time it will work."

• Flo...
• April 13, 2015

Doxycycline for Rosacea "I used to have terrible acne on my skin, and so I went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed this. I used it for about half a year, and my acne was starting to clear up. Although, I recommend wearing lots of sunscreen during the summer because you will get facial sunburns. But oddly enough, while using Oracea, I started to experience moderate heart palpitations, panic attacks, and anxiety, and so I stopped using Oracea immediately. I am not sure that I recommend this to everyone."

• Adu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2015

For Acne "I've been taking doxycycline for 2 years now, and in that time it has been a godsend. But unfortunately, in the past month, I have had a huge breakout. I feel very self-conscious at the moment. I do all I can to avoid going out, and I absolutely get so anxious on the days I have to take my daughter to school and can't rely on my husband."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Chlamydia Infection "First day of taking doxy and metronidazole seemed fine. I noticed I was feeling hotter than usual. By day 4 (I have a course of 14 days to take both medications), I had increasing headaches, nausea, but the most noticeable change was the deep depression I felt and also some confusion. Nervousness, trouble with my vision, shoulder and neck pain. I just feel absolutely horrible. I have a whole week’s worth of medication to go, and I'm not willing to take any more. My chlamydia had no symptoms. Going back to my doctor’s to change this medication because I...just...CAN'T take it - it's making me feel crazy! Worst experience with an antibiotic. Metronidazole is one thing. I've taken it before and been fine. Doxycycline added in is awful for me anyway."