Doxycycline and Headaches: What Users Say

• Dol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was terrified of taking this medication due to the reviews here, which are so scary, but had to take the medication for chronic sinusitis that was the worst for me. DO NOT let these reviews deter you as I had no side effects, only that I had to eat before taking the meds...just a cracker will do even, to stop nausea. I was feeling so much better in just two days but kept taking my 14-day course to complete. I am allergic to penicillin and usually get many side effects listed on medications, BUT NONE FROM THIS. I had a headache anyhow from the sinusitis, so just took a paracetamol as well as the doxy, which is allowed, and this sorted me right out. Should you be prescribed doxycycline, then take it and do not worry about all the bad reviews, just get better."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "Doxycycline is a very good antibiotic which is very effective. Was given this for a sinus infection that has failed to clear after amoxicillin. Have had it previously so I am aware of the potential nasty side effects. Can make you extremely nauseous if not taken with an adequate meal and plenty of water. As with other antibiotics can upset your stomach and give you diarrhea. The cons have to be weighed against the pros though, as ultimately recovering from a bacterial infection is priority. I can handle upset stomach, nausea and headaches if an antibiotic is effective in treating the infection. You will ultimately recover from those but the infection could be the end of you if left to run its course. No drug is without side effects and this should be taken into consideration. People drink alcohol and look what that does to you."

• mys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2017

For Lyme Disease "June 20, 2017, I walked in the back of my fence area, where deer travel for 2 minutes. Three days later, I had a pimple-looking rash on the back of my left arm. I thought it was an acne pimple or mosquito bite. Started to feel fatigue, pain up and down my spine, brain fog, headache, night sweats. I thought it could be the flu. Luckily for me, a big red rash showed up 2 days later, so I went to my primary doctor. He tested me for Lyme disease, and it was positive. The worst symptom for me was the pain up and down my spine, especially at night and before I woke up. The heavy night sweats were worrying also. I have read tons of articles on Lyme disease and hope this can help others. I am in my 50s and in pretty good health, not overweight, and exercise 1 to 2 days per week. I have never had any other health issues. The doctor prescribed doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 30 days. I started to feel normal 2-3 days after started taking it. I had no major side effects. After and during the 30 days, I felt that I had killed the disease. Two months later, out of nowhere, my spine started to hurt again, and night sweats etc. came back. I waited 4 or 5 days to see if it was going to go away, but no such luck. Went back to the primary doctor, he thought I should try amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times daily for 21 days. Started taking it but the results were very different than Doxycycline. The whole 21 days plus 5 more days after, I stopped having pain in my spine and no more night sweats, but my whole body felt like it was trying to fight off something and my arms felt like they had mild pins and needles in them for the full 26 days. I thought maybe that meant it was working, so I suffered through. After the 26 days, I still wasn't feeling right, major bad symptoms were gone but still had brain fog and fatigue. Went to an Infectious Disease/ Lyme Dr., told my story, asked a lot of questions. He recommended I go back on Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 60 days, and that should be it. I started taking it again on November 6th, all problem symptoms are gone, and I'm feeling normal again. I also truly believe that exercise with machines or weights and 30 minutes of aerobics, along with steam or sauna, help a lot. Heavy blood circulation gets your immune system to work better and gets the toxins out, in my opinion. Let's hope I don't get the Lyme disease symptoms back again after the 60 days. Good luck to all who come down with this terrible disease."

• sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Started taking these at lunchtime. By nighttime, the pain I previously experienced in my urinary tract had subsided a great deal. Had me cured by the end of my treatment. Didn't experience any headaches or stomach problems. Top notch."

• Eve...
• March 7, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Went to a new doctor for a sinus infection as I just moved into a new area. I've always used amoxicillin as I prefer no side effects or drowsiness. This doctor refused that completely and said I need a nasal spray, and he would only give me an antibiotic if I got the nasal spray too. Okay, whatever, I'll take both. I go to the drugstore, where the nasal spray cost me $50. And I find out he didn't give me a prescription for amoxicillin. He prescribed me this doxycycline. Well, I am on day 3, and let me tell you, not only has my sinus infection NOT gone away, it has gotten so bad that I can barely hear, and the infection is so bad that all my teeth hurt on the top of my mouth! I have the worst headache. I haven't been able to sleep for 2 nights, I'm high, I can't breathe, I'm sick, I'm in pain everywhere, chills, and I now have a throat and chest infection. I'd cry, but I'm so out of it I can't. I feel helpless and afraid. This is the most awful medication I have ever taken."

• 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."

• nig...
• September 23, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed doxycycline because of an allergy to penicillins. I did have a headache from this. My infection is better, I had some crusting sores that had not been healing, but they are now better. Also, a couple of sore teeth are no longer sore. I read up on how to take it as I wanted it to work-be sure not to eat for 2 hours before or an hour after for best absorption. Drink 8 oz of water with it, this does help to wash it down and with any stomach issues afterward. Don't lie down for at least 30 minutes after, preferably for up to an hour after, as it can cause esophageal irritation if you lie down. If you take any supplements containing calcium or magnesium, take those several hours after your last dose of doxycycline as they interfere with it. If you feel a little queasy after taking it, drink more water and wait a bit before trying food as a remedy."

• deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I went to a walk-in clinic for a sinus infection. I was given this medication, doxycycline, for the first time. I will never accept a prescription for it again. On antibiotics, I usually feel better in a day or two. On doxycycline, it took at least a week before symptoms started to clear up. I have been tired and had a severe headache since I got the medication. My body hurts, and I still have the infection. I have taken the medication for eight days. I am not taking it the last two days, the pressure in my head is so bad I'm afraid it may give me a stroke. I have no idea why the walk-in clinic gave me this medication if the side effects are so bad. But I took it, but never again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I experienced horrible side effects, including headaches, swelling and tightness in face, swollen and sore throat, dizziness and lightheadedness, body aches, thirst, racing heart, insomnia, shallow breathing. It almost felt like flu symptoms. Symptoms went away 12 hours after I stopped taking it, but headache is lingering still. I never want to experience that again. Absolutely horrible."

• Pic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This medicine gave me a terrible-and I mean terrible-headache. A lot of pressure in the head and nausea when taking it, even though it says on the bottle, 'you can take with or without food.' I stopped after two days. Also, if you look up doxycycline, this made a girl go blind from intracranial pressure. Never again, and a warning to people because I care."

• Pic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "This medicine gave me a terrible-and I mean terrible-headache. A lot of pressure in the head and nausea when taking it, even though it says on the bottle, 'you can take with or without food.' I stopped after two days. Also, if you look up doxycycline, this made a girl go blind from intracranial pressure. Never again, and a warning to people because I care."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2017

For Chlamydia Infection "I got a wonderful text from an ex-partner telling me he had tested positive for Chlamydia. I bought 1g of Azithromycin online as I didn't have time to go to the clinic and I had had 2 irregular periods. By the end of the week, I didn't feel right, had burning urine, which was new, so I ordered 7 days of Doxycycline 100 mg. These are brilliant as long as you strictly follow the instructions! Don't eat dairy with them, no multivitamins or indigestion remedies. Don't take less than an hour before bed, and make sure you eat something with them! Side effects for me were nausea if I didn't eat, a headache (manageable), and heartburn if I didn't drink enough water throughout the day. Burning pee cleared by day 2, and discharge by day 4."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "My doctor prescribed me this doxycycline antibiotic orally, 100 mg for MRSA after the first two antibiotics failed (some sort of penicillins). The doxycycline has managed to fade the MRSA boils but not completely eradicate the infection. The side effects are by far the worst I’ve ever experienced from any other drug I’ve taken. From dizziness, nausea, and the worst of all, the pressure it causes in your head. My whole 10 days on this drug have consisted of being in bed or lying on my couch with anxiety from side effects. I wouldn’t recommend this drug to my worst enemy."

• Fri...
• June 17, 2019

For Lyme Disease "I had two tick bites on my hip by my belt line. Then, not a couple weeks later, I got bit again on my left arm. About three weeks later, I developed, almost out of nowhere, extreme joint pain and stiffness, a complete loss of energy, a headache, a very stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. I went to the doctor about two days into this. They did blood work for Lyme disease, and it came back negative. Symptoms persisted terribly. The doctor did a different panel, which came back negative, but the doctor, due to my symptoms, got me on this antibiotic. The first three days were the worst I've ever felt body-wise in my life. The doctor did instruct me that that would happen during the bacterial die-off (Herxheimer reaction). By day five, all symptoms but the extreme fatigue faded. I did experience weird light aberrations. The continued extreme fatigue is the only real problem now. The doctor did mention that the treatment can take 14 days up to a month before you are 100%."

• Dea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "Doctor prescribed doxy for sinus infection. After 3 days, I am experiencing huge headaches, stomach pain, and muscle pains. Am stopping this medication now. The pain it is causing me isn’t worth taking any more."

• Den...
• December 12, 2009

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "I've been on Doxy for about four days, and the nausea is horrible. Today I had to leave my final exam because I was afraid I'd vomit. It's been that way since the first time I took it. I tried not eating with it, since that's what the bottle instructs, but the nausea isn't so bad if I eat. I have noticed improvements though. I'd had a bad respiratory infection for months but didn't know what it was. Finally got diagnosed and got this, and now I don't feel like death, but I do have a horrible headache. Didn't realize it could have been a side effect of it, but that makes sense now. Basically, it's a good cure for the respiratory infection, but the side effects are bad. On a side note, it'll be cool to see what it does with my mild acne."

• cbr...
• May 13, 2017

For Lyme Disease "Even though it says it is absorbed better without food, I would definitely advise taking it with food (as my pharmacist suggested to me). I tried to take the first dose without food, big mistake. Within an hour, I started getting really shaky and nauseous, felt like throwing up big time. I had to hurry up and down some food quickly to stop it. As long as I take it right after a meal, and with plenty of water, I am fine. Occasional headaches with this medicine. You can definitely tell it is a strong medication (for an antibiotic), so be careful. I was prescribed two weeks of doxycycline to prevent possible Lyme disease from being bit by a tick a few days ago. As long as you can stick through the side effects, this medicine is effective."

• NS5...
• December 10, 2016

For Bronchitis "Miracle worker! I was on amoxicillin for 5 days, went back to my GP as my symptoms were no better; if anything, the infection had spread. My GP swapped me over to doxycycline, and within 24 hours, I started to notice improvements. I'm on day 4 (7-day course), and today is the first day I've not had a fever or been coughing nonstop. The coughing is still quite persistent, but with this med, I'm hopeful I'll be okay very soon. Minor side effects for me: dizziness & headaches."

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I was on doxycycline 100 mg, 2x daily for 7 days. I thought I was dying after 5 pills. I had been sick for over a week, and the urgent care NP thought I should take this. I actually asked for amoxicillin, and she refused. I had taken 3 doses and felt my heart race and dizzy. I called in to the urgent care but could not speak directly to her. The receptionist said I could stop taking it, but she wasn’t convinced it was from the doxy. So I thought I’d push through. After dose 5, I left work at noon and went straight to my family doctor, I thought I was dying. I had watery diarrhea exploding from me. Ten times before noon! I was severely dizzy, I couldn’t even think about eating. I had cold sweats and a weird headache. I felt like my brain was swelling! My vision seemed bowed, that’s the only way I can explain it. I couldn’t see anything straight. He told me doxy is a horrible antibiotic, the side effects are too common and severe. He doesn’t prescribe."

• dba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2013

Doxycycline for Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed for both my urinary tract infection and sinus infection at the same time. I am a vegan and am finding it a bit difficult to time my dosage (2 a day) around other medicines and meals. I believe it is causing headaches and nausea. I have not vomited but feel as if I could. In the middle of the cycle of prescription-hope I can tolerate the remainder."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "Having had a virus for 4 weeks and then secondary bronchitis, I was just recently prescribed this. I am only 3 days in, and already there is a big difference in how I feel. The mucus is lifting, I can breathe, and my chest feels less tight. However, it is not without the slightest of side effects, which include nausea, a feeling that lasts about an hour after taking it, a slight upset stomach, and a headache, but I can live with all that."

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

For Bacterial Infection "I didn’t think it was even working for my sinusitis because I had basically no side effects, but the infection cleared very quickly. I had just switched because of a terrible Augmentin reaction, but this was a cakewalk. Teeth sensitivity and a little bit of gastric pain if I didn’t take it with food. Sunburns my skin and a very minor headache. I’ve been taking probiotics daily, but other than that, I’m very happy with the results."

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For Pneumonia "I am currently in between day 2 and day 3 with Doxy, which is prescribed for community-acquired pneumonia. Doing so much better. Friday, I had a fever, couldn't sleep, was coughing every minute, and was absolutely miserable. Though I'm still taking it easy to play safe, now all I have is just the occasional cough. Doxy will give you a headache though, so make sure to eat and drink a lot of fluids with it."

• Its...
• September 30, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I have taken doxycycline numerous times for an infection that never wants to go away (ureaplasma). It's been a year since I've had it. I went to the doctor last week and got put back on doxy. After a day, I started getting a burning sensation around my eyes and sensitivity to light. Then, the next day, the mother of all headaches came, it was like a sinus pressure that went into my eyes. I had to stop taking it due to the headache. If anyone knows what the headache was caused by, please let me know."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "I had sinusitis for a week, then went to doctors with a severe headache, pressure on forehead. I told them I have a bacterial infection, headaches, weakness, feeling lethargic. Had one tablet yesterday with a sandwich, one this morning with breakfast. Seems to be fast-acting, as my nose is now clear again, no sign of infection, no pressure or pain. I believe this is the best antibiotic I have ever taken, feeling great today. With food, I also drank 200 mls of water. I believe everyone is different, I seem fine and can tolerate doxycycline medication just fine, no more pressure headaches... yippee!"