Recommended Dosage for 14-Day Doxycycline Prescription
The recommended dosage for a 14-day prescription of doxycycline is 100 mg twice daily (200 mg total daily dose). 1, 2
Standard Dosing Recommendations
- For adults, doxycycline is typically prescribed at 100 mg twice daily for 14 days for most bacterial infections 1, 2
- The FDA-approved dosing regimen for doxycycline starts with 200 mg on the first day (administered as 100 mg every 12 hours), followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day for most infections 2
- For more severe infections, 100 mg every 12 hours (200 mg total daily) is recommended throughout the treatment course 2
Specific Infection-Related Dosing
- For Lyme disease treatment, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 14 days (range 10-21 days) 1
- For respiratory tract infections, the standard dosing of 200 mg on day 1 followed by 100 mg daily has shown 87% effectiveness, though 200 mg daily can be continued for severe cases 3
- For sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or non-gonococcal urethritis, doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days is the recommended regimen 1, 2
- For Q fever treatment, doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 14 days is the standard recommendation 1
Administration Guidelines
- Doxycycline should be taken with 8 ounces of fluid to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation 1, 2
- It should be taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal intolerance 1, 2
- Patients should avoid lying down for at least 1 hour after taking doxycycline to prevent esophagitis 1
- Dairy products should not be consumed within 2 hours (before or after) of taking the medication 1
Special Considerations
- Doxycycline is relatively contraindicated during pregnancy or lactation and in children under 8 years of age 1
- Patients should be advised to avoid sun exposure while taking doxycycline due to potential photosensitivity, which is particularly concerning during summer months 1
- For patients with bronchiectasis and certain bacterial infections, a 14-day course is standard, particularly for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections 1
Common Side Effects and Precautions
- Gastrointestinal effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur 2, 4
- Photosensitivity reactions can develop, requiring patients to limit sun exposure 1
- Esophageal irritation can occur if not taken with adequate fluid 1, 2
- Low-dose doxycycline (20-40 mg/day) has been studied for anti-inflammatory properties but is not the standard for treating active infections 4
The 14-day duration is considered appropriate for most infections requiring doxycycline, though some conditions like uncomplicated STIs may require only 7 days, while others like chronic Q fever may require longer treatment 1, 2.