Can I take doxycycline for a strep throat?
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic effective against a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including some streptococcus species, but it is not considered a treatment option for S. pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS ) infections, the bacteria that cause strep throat and rheumatic fever. There are also concerns around some Strep species being resistant to doxycycline.
In patients at high risk for rheumatic fever with GAS, the following narrow-spectrum antibiotics with a good safety record are generally recommended first-line:
- Penicillin V (PEN-VK)
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Moxatag)
- Penicillin G benzathine.
Alternatives in adults and children who are penicillin-allergic (non-severe) include:
- Cephalexin (Keflex, Biocef)
- Cefadroxil (Duricef).
Alternatives in adults and children who are penicillin-allergic (severe) include:
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Azithromycin (Zithromax)
- Erythromycin (E.E.S. granules).
Typical symptoms of Strep throat are sore throat, chills, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Adults and children with confirmed GAS throat infections who have risk factors for developing rheumatic fever should receive antibiotic therapy. For nearly all other sore throat cases —including pharyngitis and tonsillitis — antibiotics are generally unnecessary. This is because most sore throats are caused by viruses rather than bacteria, and even when GAS is the culprit, the condition typically resolves without treatment.
For more information visit Strep Throat or Medications for Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis).
Related questions
References
- BPACNZ. Primary Care Antibiotic Guide Antibiotics: choices for common infections. 1 November 2024. https://bpac.org.nz/antibiotics/guide.aspx
- ABX-Pharyngitis. Rx Files. https://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/ABX-Pharyngitis.pdf
- Shea, Kevin W. et al. Doxycycline Activity Against Streptococcus pneumoniae. CHEST, 1995, Volume 108, Issue 6, 1775 - 1776
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Drug information
- Doxycycline Information for Consumers
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- Side Effects of Doxycycline (detailed)
- Doxycycline user reviews (1,635)
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