Oral tetracycline antibiotic (anti-acne / anti-rosacea)

Doxycycline 100mg (Acne / Rosacea)

Brand names: Efracea (40mg MR — rosacea), Vibramycin-D, Doxycycline (generic)

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used for respiratory and atypical/zoonotic infections, malaria prophylaxis, and at lower doses for inflammatory acne and rosacea.

Dosing — not shown for this use

The product information we hold does not support a dose for this page's specific use, route or population, so none is shown. Follow your local or national guideline, and confirm against the product SmPC.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis at the 30S ribosomal subunit (bacteriostatic); in acne it also has anti-inflammatory effects.

Prescribing in practice

Avoid in pregnancy and in children under 12 (dental staining and effects on developing bone).
It causes photosensitivity (advise sun protection) and oesophageal irritation — take it with plenty of water and stay upright.
Absorption is reduced by calcium, iron, antacids and dairy — separate their timing.

Monitoring

Short courses need no routine monitoring; for longer acne courses review response and adverse effects.

Counselling the patient

Take it with a full glass of water and stay upright; not just before lying down.
Use sun protection, as you may burn more easily.
Separate it from milk, antacids and iron supplements.

Evidence & guidelines

Used for respiratory and atypical infections and as an option for inflammatory acne/rosacea per NICE/PHE guidance.

Reference: NICE CG184 Acne Vulgaris; BAD Acne Guidelines 2021; BAD Rosacea Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways