Can I take 200mg of doxycycline (antibiotic) once a day for 7 days to treat chlamydia and masturbate during treatment after azithromycin (antibiotic) was ineffective?

Doxycycline Dosing for Chlamydia Treatment and Sexual Activity Guidance

You should not take 200 mg of doxycycline once daily for chlamydia treatment, as the FDA-approved regimen is 100 mg twice daily for 7 days, which has proven efficacy and established safety profile. 1

Correct Doxycycline Dosing for Chlamydia

• The recommended treatment regimen for uncomplicated chlamydial infection is doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days OR azithromycin 1 g orally in a single dose 2, 3
• Doxycycline has approximately 98% efficacy when taken as prescribed (100 mg twice daily for 7 days) 4
• The FDA-approved dosing for chlamydial infections specifically states 100 mg by mouth twice a day for 7 days 1
• Changing to a once-daily regimen of 200 mg has not been studied or approved for chlamydia treatment and could potentially:
  • Reduce efficacy due to altered pharmacokinetics 4
  • Increase risk of treatment failure, especially after a previous unsuccessful treatment 2

Risks of Changing the Dosing Schedule

• Altered drug concentration profiles throughout the day may lead to suboptimal antimicrobial activity 4
• Increased risk of gastrointestinal side effects with a higher single dose 5, 6
• Higher risk of treatment failure, particularly concerning since you've already failed azithromycin treatment 2
• Potential for developing antibiotic resistance with improper dosing 2
• Increased risk of persistent infection and complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in female partners 2

Sexual Activity During Treatment

• You should abstain from all sexual activity (including masturbation) for 7 days after starting treatment 2
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically recommends abstaining from sexual intercourse for 7 days after starting treatment to:
  • Prevent further transmission of infection 2
  • Allow time for the antibiotic to effectively clear the infection 2
  • Minimize risk of reinfection 2

Treatment After Azithromycin Failure

• Since you've already failed azithromycin treatment, it's especially important to follow the doxycycline regimen exactly as prescribed 2, 4
• Recent research shows doxycycline is superior to azithromycin for certain types of chlamydial infections, with a 7-day course of doxycycline showing significantly higher cure rates (96.9% vs 76.4%) 7
• To maximize treatment success:
  • Take doxycycline 100 mg twice daily (every 12 hours) for the full 7 days 1
  • Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs 1
  • Complete the entire course even if symptoms improve 2
  • Ensure all sexual partners are also treated 2

Follow-Up Recommendations

• No test of cure is needed if you complete the full 7-day course of doxycycline as prescribed 2
• Consider retesting in 3 months to ensure no reinfection has occurred 3, 4
• If symptoms persist after completing treatment, return for evaluation as this may indicate reinfection or treatment failure 2

Remember that proper adherence to the recommended dosing schedule is crucial for treatment success, especially after a previous treatment failure with azithromycin.