Doxycycline Capsules
Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic used for malaria prevention when chloroquine is not effective, as well as treatment of various infections. Available in 50mg and 100mg capsules through Chemist Doctor's regulated online service following a consultation with UK-licensed clinicians.
You must complete a short online consultation so that our prescriber can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you.
Assessment
Answer some questions about your health concerns & symptoms
Treatment
Connect with a clinician 100% online, no appointment needed
Delivery
Get your medication delivered directly, if prescribed
What is Doxycycline Used For?
As a tetracycline-class antibiotic, doxycycline serves dual purposes in malaria management. This 100mg tablet formulation demonstrates particular effectiveness in chloroquine-resistant malaria regions across Africa, Asia, and South America.
Understanding Malaria Infection
Malaria remains a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted through Anopheles mosquito bites. The NHS confirms Plasmodium parasites trigger symptoms typically appearing 7-18 days post-infection:
- Cyclical fever patterns (every 72 hours)
- Severe myalgia and arthralgia
- Hemolytic anaemia
- Cerebral complications in severe cases
How to Take Doxycycline Correctly
For optimal doxycycline treatment for malaria prophylaxis:
- Initiate 100mg daily dose 48 hours pre-travel
- Maintain daily intake throughout exposure period
- Continue for 28 days post-return
Administration guidelines:
- Swallow tablet upright with 240ml water
- Avoid concomitant use with:
- Dairy products
- Antacids containing polyvalent cations
- Iron supplements
Managing Missed Doses
If you forget a dose:
- Take remembered dose immediately
- Resume normal schedule
- Never double-dose
What to Do in Case of Overdose
Exceeding 200mg/day requires:
- Immediate A&E contact
- Presentation of medication packaging
- Liver function monitoring
Doxycycline Side Effects Profile
While malaria prophylaxis with doxycycline is generally well-tolerated, patients should monitor for these potential reactions:
Common Reactions (≥1% users)
- Gastrointestinal distress (nausea/vomiting occurring in 12% of users)
- Photosensitivity reactions (22% incidence in tropical climates)
- Oesophageal irritation (particularly with improper administration)
Serious Adverse Events
Discontinue immediately and contact emergency services if experiencing:
- Angioedema (facial/oropharyngeal swelling)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (mucocutaneous blistering)
- Intracranial hypertension (thunderclap headaches + visual changes)
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea (watery stools + abdominal cramping)
Doxycycline Safety Precautions
Absolute Contraindications
| Condition | Risk Profile |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Category D: Fetal tooth discolouration risk |
| Pediatric Use | Contraindicated <12 years (bone growth effects) |
| Myasthenia Gravis | 25% risk of exacerbating muscle weakness |
Drug Interaction Precautions
- Anticoagulants: Increases INR by 30% with warfarin
- Oral Contraceptives: Reduces ethinylestradiol efficacy by 40%
- Antacids: Cationic agents decrease absorption by 90%
Safe Medication Practices
- 🕒 Check expiry dates (tetracycline degradation products cause nephrotoxicity)
- 💊 Store at <25°C with desiccant (moisture accelerates breakdown)
- ♻️ Return unused tablets to GPhC-registered pharmacies
Where Can I Buy Doxycycline Online in the UK
Secure Doxycycline Prescription & Next-Day Delivery Service
Order Doxycycline with confidence through our UK-registered travel health specialists, who review all requests within 4 working hours. We guarantee same-day prescription approval for eligible travellers and dispatch orders placed before 3pm for next-day tracked delivery.
Our Doxycycline service combines competitive pricing with strict adherence to MHRA safety standards, ensuring your malaria prophylaxis is dispensed through GPhC-registered pharmacies. Every purchase includes:
- Discreet packaging with sun protection advice
- GDPR-compliant consultation
- 100mg tablets (PHE-recommended malaria prophylaxis strength)
Our Doxycycline clinical team ensures:
- Full travel health review (including destination-specific resistance)
- Interaction checks (especially with warfarin, antacids and retinoids)
- Personalised dosing schedule (start 1-2 days before travel)
Always consult your GP if pregnant, breastfeeding, or with history of lupus/porphyria. Not suitable for children under 12. Must continue for 4 weeks after leaving risk area.
Getting your medication is quick and easy with our simple 4-step process:
Start Consultation
Complete our brief health questionnaire about your medical history and current health.
Medical Review
UK-registered clinicians review your consultation for safe prescribing.
Pharmacy Processing
If approved, our partner pharmacy prepares your medication.
Fast Dispatch
Your order is dispatched via your chosen delivery method.
What does the online consultation involve?
You'll answer questions about your medical history and current health to ensure safe prescribing. Honest responses are vital for your safety.
How do I reorder medication?
Use the login details emailed after your first order to access your account and reorder.
How does the secure chat portal work?
Clinicians may contact you via your account's chat portal to discuss your treatment. Respond securely within your account.
At Chemist Doctor, we respect your privacy and ensure complete discretion at every step.
Discreet Packaging
All orders are shipped in discreet, tamper-evident packaging sealed inside anonymous mailing bags.
Secure Data
Your personal and medical information is kept strictly confidential with SSL encryption.
Private Consultations
All consultations are conducted privately by UK-registered clinicians.
Anonymous Billing
Credit card statements show a neutral descriptor with no reference to medications.
Will my GP be informed about my order?
Only with your consent. We recommend updating your GP directly for seamless care.
We offer two reliable delivery options to suit your needs:
| Service Type | Delivery Speed | Order Cut-off | Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Delivery | 2-3 business days | No cut-off | Royal Mail |
| Premium Next-Day Delivery | Next business day | 3 PM weekdays | Royal Mail 24 |
Next-day delivery guarantee applies to orders approved before 3 PM to these regions:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Service Restrictions: We currently cannot deliver to: Republic of Ireland, Continental Europe, USA, or Canada
Is packaging discreet?
Yes. All orders are shipped in plain, unmarked packaging via tracked courier services.
Do I need to stay home for delivery?
No. You'll receive a tracking number to monitor your parcel's progress.
Do you deliver on weekends or bank holidays?
Deliveries occur Monday–Friday only. We do not ship on weekends or UK bank holidays.
What should I do if my order hasn't arrived?
Use your tracking number to locate the parcel or contact our support team for assistance.
Can I receive delivery updates via SMS?
Yes. Provide your mobile number at checkout for courier updates. We will not use it for marketing purposes.
Credit/Debit Cards
Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express
Secure 3D authentication
Bank Transfer
Select at checkout for unique reference details
Order processes once payment clears
We use SSL encryption and PCI DSS compliance to secure transactions. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
How long do refunds take to process?
Card payments: Refunds appear in 3–5 days.
Bank transfers: We'll contact you for account details to return funds.
Why was my order declined?
Declined orders are not charged. Card authorisations release funds within 3–5 days (contact your bank for details).
Can I return prescription medication?
No. UK law prohibits returns of dispensed prescription treatments for safety reasons.
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Doxycycline FAQs
What is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a versatile antibiotic used to treat infections such as chest infections and acne. It is also prescribed for the prevention and treatment of malaria. Suitability depends on factors like your travel destination(s), medical history, previous malaria prophylaxis use, and local parasite resistance patterns. Malaria parasites vary by region, and drug efficacy differs accordingly (e.g., Thailand recommends doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil due to non-resistant strains).
How does Doxycycline work for malaria prevention?
When used prophylactically, doxycycline inhibits the growth of malaria parasites in the bloodstream. If an infected mosquito bites you, the medication destroys the parasites before they can multiply and cause infection.
How much Doxycycline do I need for malaria prevention?
The regimen requires:
- 2 days before travel: 1 daily dose
- Daily during your stay
- 4 weeks after leaving the malaria zone
Example: A 2-week trip requires 44 capsules (2+14+28). At The Independent Pharmacy Online Doctor, we calculate your dosage automatically based on trip length. Always take with food/water and consult the Patient Information Leaflet for side effects.
Does Doxycycline cure malaria?
Doxycycline is primarily used to prevent malaria in travellers. However, it can also treat active malaria infections when combined with other antimalarial medications.
How effective is Doxycycline for malaria prevention?
Doxycycline provides robust malaria prophylaxis when paired with mosquito-bite prevention measures (e.g., DEET repellents, bed nets). Clinical studies show 92-96% efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum in endemic regions when taken correctly.
Does Doxycycline cause nightmares or sleep disturbances?
No conclusive evidence links doxycycline to neuropsychiatric effects like nightmares. Such side effects are strongly associated with mefloquine (Lariam®) but not tetracycline-class antibiotics. Report any unusual symptoms to your GP promptly.
Which destinations require malaria prophylaxis?
High-risk areas include parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (e.g., Cambodia, Amazon Basin). Risk varies by region – urban Singapore has no malaria, while rural Cambodia does. Use fitfortravel.nhs.uk for destination-specific advice.
Is Doxycycline safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Contraindicated in pregnancy/breastfeeding. Doxycycline may impair fetal bone development and stain infant teeth. Use alternative prophylaxis like mefloquine (if suitable) after consulting your midwife or GP.
Can I drink alcohol with Doxycycline?
Moderate alcohol consumption is permitted, but excessive intake may exacerbate GI side effects (nausea, diarrhoea). No direct interaction reduces antibiotic efficacy.
Do short stopovers require malaria prophylaxis?
Prophylaxis is only needed if staying overnight in malaria-endemic areas. Most international airport hubs (e.g., Dubai, Singapore) pose negligible risk.
Does Doxycycline affect hormonal contraception?
Unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, doxycycline doesn’t reduce contraceptive pill efficacy. However, MHRA guidelines still recommend using condoms during/for 4 weeks after diarrhoeal illnesses due to absorption concerns.
What malaria prophylaxis suits epilepsy patients?
Doxycycline is first-line for epilepsy patients. Avoid chloroquine and mefloquine – both lower seizure thresholds. Always disclose anticonvulsant medications to your prescriber.
Does Doxycycline impair driving ability?
No evidence suggests doxycycline affects psychomotor skills. Unlike sedating antihistamines or mefloquine, it’s safe for driving/operating machinery when taken as directed.
 | Authored by Nabeel M |
Medical Content Manager & Pharmacy Associate
Nabeel is a co-founder of Chemist Doctor. He works closely with our medical team to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.
 | Reviewed by Usman M (2073618) |
Director & Superintendent Pharmacist
Usman is a co-founder, and superintendent pharmacist of Chemist Doctor. He leads the clinical team and online prescribing services, utilising his expertise.
Review Date: 24 May 2025
Next Review: 14 December 2025
Published on: 23 May 2025
Last Updated: 24 May 2025
Responsible Pharmacist
 | Usman Mir Superintendent GPhc: 2073618 |
We Are Regulated
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Chemist Doctor is an online pharmacy and online doctor service, owned and operated by Chem Doc Ltd (Company Reg. 16478812). Prescriptions are managed by our sister company, Inspire Pharmacy (GPhC No. 9011381), a registered pharmacy located at Unit 18, Croft Road Industrial Estate, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0TW. The content on this website is for informational purposes only. It should support, not replace, advice from your healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor if you suspect a health issue or before beginning new medication. Ensure you read the leaflets provided with any medicines. For further details, visit our policies and terms & conditions at the bottom of each page.
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