Doxycycline and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Kri...
• August 13, 2013

For Rosacea "I started taking doxycycline one month ago, and within 3 days, my acne and rosacea were gone, and it never came back. My doctor told me it would not help with the redness at all, but it did. I could honestly just cry. I am THAT happy with this medication. It also soothed my very dry eyes, which I think were due to the rosacea as well. Take note, however, that this stuff is REALLY hard on your stomach if you take it without eating. I get dizzy and dry heave. All in all, I want to hug my doxycycline because it changed my life."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

For Pneumonia "I let cough go untreated for 4 weeks because of no insurance, didn't want to create another bill I couldn't pay, and by end of week four I started coughing up blood so went to clinic. Pneumonia diagnosis. Was given doxycycline 100 mg x2 daily for 7 days. I'm on day two and already lungs are clear. Second day had a little stomach upset but I'd not drink much water that time. That is the key...drink water, drink water and drink water. Other than that one instance, no stomach trouble at all. It's a strong antibiotic and it works great, so glad I wasn't given amoxicillin which always tears my stomach up and works nowhere near as good as this has so far. First time using it and I'm thoroughly impressed so far. Tough out the stomach issues if you have any, again drink that water, cannot stress enough, not only for this drug but for helping the body to expel the mucus. Not cokes, not coffee or any caffeine, it's a diuretic and will keep you dehydrated."

• 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."

• bus...
• December 24, 2019

For Pneumonia "Thought I had a bad cold with cough and shortness of breath. After about 7 days, when I got the pain going clear through the lung (front to back), I knew it was pneumonia (had it before). Started doxy 2 x a day, also using a nebulizer with albuterol solution 3 x a day and an emergency albuterol inhaler for nighttime breathing help. Better on day 3 but no further improvement until I began doxy 3 x a day. Always eat 30 minutes before taking doxy or you will have stomach issues. Drink a bottle of water every two hours to help flush the crud out of your system. You will be tired for 8-10 days after stopping doxy, but it has done its job."

• una...
• January 10, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "I have been taking this medicine for a week. Took two straight away with food. Then one a day after with food. I've had no problems until today, my sixth day. I woke late, took the tablet with only a cup of coffee. About 20 mins later, felt unwell with a slight stomach ache and felt chills all over my body. Felt bloated and sick, so quickly got something to eat. And within an hour, felt better. Do not take this on an empty stomach. Last day tomorrow. It's a good antibiotic... got rid of my upper respiratory infection and tooth infection..."

• Anonymous
• July 24, 2012

For Bacterial Infection "I took this medication for 4 days and had severe side effects. It started out with a stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, then I felt like I had the worst case of the flu. Body aches, chills, low-grade fever, dizziness, weakness, sore skin. Plus, the infection I was taking it for only got worse. It's been 4 days since I stopped taking it, and I still feel horrible."

• Car...
• February 22, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "Day 4 of this medication. Taking it for a sinus infection. Sinus pain and pressure are gone. I have now developed congestion in my lungs, and it hurts to breathe. My stomach is irritated, and my mouth and gums are raw. It has become difficult to drink or eat. Taking with Mucinex as prescribed. I feel worse."

• 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."

• sam...
• August 25, 2013

For Acne "I thought this medication wouldn't be that effective, but I was wrong. It cleared my skin in 5 days and even got rid of large cystic acne that I had for like 6 months, and nothing helped! I am amazed. Everyone is saying how my skin is glowing and beautiful. Well, I didn't really think it was the doxycycline doing it until I stopped, and bam, broke out all over again. So I started back on it, and in 2 days it is clearing the large cystic acne that came back. The only downside is it gives me stomach cramps and pain. I think it helps to drink a lot of water. If you are skeptical of this, just give it a try. It works well for adult hormonal acne."

• Fre...
• August 21, 2019

For Pelvic Inflammatory Disease "Had this antibiotic a few months ago to clear up a chlamydia infection, worked really well! Unfortunately, I have to take it again for pelvic inflammatory disease caused by the chlamydia. So far, I’ve had no side effects with this, the only time I had an extremely upset stomach was when I didn’t eat it with food. So please make sure you eat food with it, don’t let the other reviews scare you to take this. It’s really good, and works amazingly!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2021

For Prostatitis "This is my 4th round of this drug, doxycycline, for prostatitis. Two tablets, 100 mg a day. Longest was 12 weeks. Did not like taking it that long, but did. Very anxious taking it, but no side effects. Just a little upset stomach since you have to take it on an empty stomach. Helps get rid of prostatitis for me. Usually within days, it gets rid of it."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "Not even sure that I needed an antibiotic, but took it on GP’s advice. This medication is awful. Horrendous stomach cramps, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhoea to name but a few. Seven days after stopping, and I’m still suffering with some effects. Had to take time off work. Would not recommend anyone take this medication."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2013

Oracea (doxycycline) for Rosacea "Saw an improvement shortly after I started taking Oracea. Skin was smoother, and the nose area was not as bumpy, with fewer skin flare-ups caused lots of upset stomach. Several times, I took this medicine with water, and maybe 40 minutes later, I would throw up. Also, the medicine is very expensive."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "My doctor prescribed me doxycycline hyclate 100 mg capsules, 10 days for twice a day for an ear infection. The pharmacy gave me blue pills mfg by West-Ward. So far, I have taken the medicine for five days, and I have had a severe headache, sinus pains, sensitivity to light, black and blue circles under my eyes, stomach upset, and severe acid reflux. My ear infection doesn't seem to be improved very much, but I feel like the medicine gave me a sinus infection. I am going to try and contact my doctor and see if I can get something different."

• Per...
• August 27, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "Just remember, people, don't let these scary negative reviews deter you from taking this medicine. It is not toxic. It has been around for years and is proven to be very effective. Most people don't leave positive reviews because they don't take the time to do it, me included. What we mostly see are negative reviews. I assure you if everyone was forced to leave a review, they would be overwhelmingly positive. Some side effects might be stomach upset, but that is with all antibiotics. Just take with a little food if that is a concern. It is a lifesaving antibiotic. Listen to your doctor and take your meds!"

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed 100's, and for 14 days, I was to take two, with food, not lying down for 30 minutes afterward, and then continue once a day for the next 62 days. I find it provokes nausea, headaches, and indigestion, but is clearing up the skin irritation that was the reason she put me on a strong dose. I suspected bacteria because of other symptoms. My face is just about clear, and sinus situations I have had for a long time have lessened, leading to confirm what I have always suspected: that allergies are caused by a poor immune system. I had not heard until reading these testimonies that you were not to take vitamins, which I have continued to take and may be causing stomach irritation."

• del...
• September 28, 2014

For Acne "I'm 27, and I just started taking doxycycline 2x a day, 100 mg. I saw my skin clearing up, or at least no new pimples since day 1! I also use tretinoin cream at night and Benzaclin/clindamycin in the morning. I had an upset stomach so far, only for one day, but the past two days, I've been dealing with a bad headache. I'm hoping it'll go away soon. Other than that, this medicine works great for me!"

• eme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Lyme Disease "I was prescribed 100 mg twice daily for 14 days for suspected Lyme after tick exposure. I managed to get through 11 days of treatment but felt no improvement in my initial symptoms (feverish, chills, extreme fatigue). Stomach issues on this drug were not a huge problem, but the increasing anxiety, depression, and fatigue were, so when I started having numbness in my fingers, I came to this site to see if anyone else had an experience like mine. Turns out there are plenty of us! I decided to stop doxycycline with 3 days left to go and hope I can start feeling better soon. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences."

• Sha...
• January 2, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "10-15 minutes after taking this, I got a really bad stomach ache that caused a hot flash like I was gonna pass out. I got nauseous, then threw up for 5 minutes and dry heaved for another 5. For the rest of the day, I had a headache and felt sick to my stomach. I will never take this drug again!"

• Run...
• February 7, 2016

For Rosacea "I have rosacea triggered by heat/intense exercise. Went through 2 rounds of Accutane in college, which helped for a short while. Got reprieve through my late 20s/30s, then it came back in my 40s with exercise. Tried to treat it naturally for two months, then gave up and saw the dermatologist. Started the doxycycline, 1 pill 2 times a day, and my face, which had virtually every pore affected with a bump - and under-eye area affected, was almost completely clear in one week. After 2 weeks, I went down to one pill per day. On that dose, I get a couple bumps after working out, but they go away in a day instead of 3 weeks. Also do the metro gel and sulfur wash. Been a month now. A little heartburn/sour stomach after taking it, but excellent results."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2017

For Acne "Most effective drug I've taken for acne. DON'T TAKE WITHOUT A MEAL!!! But really, I thought everyone said to avoid an upset stomach, but it rips into the side of your stomach lining if you do this, and you can get ulcers. Get really bad hormonal breakouts around the chin, this cleared up immediately. Was able to get off and still have clean skin for a year after."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

For Upper Respiratory Tract Infection "On doxycycline and my side effects of severe diarrhea all throughout taking and severe weight loss of 13 lbs over 6 days. Had nausea, stomach cramps, completely lost any appetite, couldn't eat anything on it."

• emh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2014

For Acne "I started taking doxycycline because I was in a malaria country, and it was required. My doctor there said that it would also help with my mid-severe cystic acne, and it totally did. I am back in the States now, after 4 months of being abroad, and am still taking doxy for my skin. For those of you experiencing an upset stomach, eat before you take it, and stay upright for a half hour after. If you don't eat before, you will throw up. And it needs to be substantial, not just a cracker."

• Cha...
• November 19, 2016

For Chlamydia Infection "After having intercourse with my ex-husband, terrible mistake... After the 3rd day, I started having a discharge, thinking it was a yeast infection... Not! The odor came, followed by really bad discharge and stomach cramps. Trying to wait to see my PCP, I couldn't take it anymore... Emergency room I went... Treated for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea with Doxycycline Monohydrate, doing well!... I know I was not tripping, trying to give my ex the benefit of the doubt, not... Women's intuition, if you have any of the signs, you know your body, don't beat yourself up... Go get checked... Results vary, but I give this medication an A rating... Good luck!"

• Jes...
• October 3, 2013

For Acne "I have been on this medication for one month, and my cystic acne is completely gone as a result, but it didn't clear up completely until week 3. I give this a 10 for the results. However, there is a long list of bad side effects for this medication, and I suffered many of them. I had severe stomach pains. The pain wouldn't last long, but it came on quick and strong before stopping. I also had some digestive issues, and an upset, gurgling stomach non-stop for the first week or two. I also got bad headaches and had no appetite for two weeks. It also made me nauseated at first. After week two, the side effects stopped, but it was a rough start."