From the Guidelines
Doxycycline hyclate is typically prescribed at 100 mg twice daily for the treatment of various bacterial infections, including Lyme disease, with a treatment duration of 14 days, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. The dosage and treatment regimen for doxycycline hyclate may vary depending on the specific condition being treated.
- For Lyme disease, the recommended treatment is 100 mg twice daily for 14 days, with a range of 10-21 days 1.
- For tickborne rickettsial diseases, the recommended treatment is 100 mg twice daily for at least 3 days after fever subsides and until evidence of clinical improvement is noted, with a minimum treatment course of 5-7 days 1. The medication should be taken with a full glass of water, and patients should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it to prevent esophageal irritation.
- Food can reduce gastrointestinal side effects but may slightly decrease absorption. Common side effects include photosensitivity (increased sun sensitivity), nausea, and diarrhea, so sun protection is essential during treatment.
- The medication should be avoided in pregnant women, children under 8 years old, and those with certain allergies to tetracycline antibiotics 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The usual dosage of doxycycline hyclate tablet is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg daily. For certain selected specific indications, the recommended duration or dosage and duration of doxycycline hyclate tablets and capsules in adult patients are as follows: Streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for 10 days Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis: 100 mg by mouth twice-a-day for 7 days. The maintenance dose may be administered as a single dose or as 50 mg every 12 hours In the management of more severe infections (particularly chronic infections of the urinary tract), 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended.
The typical dosage and treatment regimen for doxycycline hyclate is 200 mg on the first day, followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg daily. The dosage may vary depending on the specific indication, such as:
- Streptococcal infections: 10 days
- Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis: 100 mg twice-a-day for 7 days
- More severe infections: 100 mg every 12 hours 2
From the Research
Dosage and Treatment Regimen for Doxycycline Hyclate
- The typical dosage of doxycycline hyclate varies depending on the condition being treated. For example, in the treatment of early Lyme disease, a dosage of 100 mg twice daily for 10 to 20 days has been used 3.
- In another study, doxycycline hyclate was administered at a dosage of 100 mg twice daily for 14 days for the treatment of erythema migrans 4, 5.
- A sustained-release formulation of doxycycline hyclate has also been used for prophylaxis of tick bite infection in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis, with a single injection providing protection against infection and resultant pathology 6.
- For the treatment of patients with chronic Lyme borreliosis, doxycycline hyclate was administered at a dosage of 100 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, and was found to be as effective as ceftriaxone in improving symptoms 7.
Comparison of Doxycycline Hyclate with Other Antibiotics
- Doxycycline hyclate has been compared with azithromycin in the treatment of erythema migrans, with both antibiotics showing similar efficacy 4, 5.
- Doxycycline hyclate has also been compared with ceftriaxone in the treatment of patients with chronic Lyme borreliosis, with both antibiotics showing similar efficacy, but doxycycline hyclate being cheaper and having a better safety profile 7.