What does doxycylcline cure?

Answer 1

Doxycycline is one of those excellent anitibioitcs that is often overlooked in light of newer, more expensive antibiotics, but still has an important role in clinical practice today. As an antibiotic it is used for bacterial infections such as non-gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis (a non sexually transmitted inflammation of the urethra or cervix) as well as respiratory infections (both upper and lower - sinus infections or bronchitis). It is commonly given 100mg twice a day, without regard to meals. At 50-100mg once a day it is used for acne vulgaris. A lower strength, marketed as Periostat 20mg is used for periodontitis but at that dose its mechanism of action is completely unrelated to its antibacterial action. Instead, it is thought that doxycycline inhibits an enzyme known as collagenase which breaks down the collagen that hold certain soft tissues together, in this case, the gums. Although ciprofloxacin is regarded as first line treatment for anthrax by the CDC, doxycycline is listed as an alternative in patients intolerant or allergic to ciprofloxacin. As a pharmacist though, we see it most often for sinus infections, acne and after an abortion (for the cervicitis).