NHS information about the medicine doxycycline, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects. Doxycycline is a prescription antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections — including respiratory tract infections, acne, urinary tract infections, certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Doxycycline is not effective against viral infections (like colds or flu) and should only be used as directed by a healthcare provider. It is not typically recommended for use in young children or during pregnancy unless no alternatives are available and the benefits outweigh the risks. Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to prevent and treat a range of bacterial infections from acne to UTIs and Lyme disease. Explore other benefits and uses of doxycycline along with potential side effects and interactions, as well as who should not use doxycycline. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of doxycycline for treatment of Q fever and tick-borne rickettsial diseases in children of all ages, and some researchers advocate for its use in children with malaria as well. Easy-to-read patient tips for doxycycline covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth and is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Doxycycline is used for bacterial infections, including acne, rosacea, urinary and respiratory tract infections, eye infections, gum disease, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Doxycycline is a versatile antibiotic used to treat various infections, including respiratory, skin, and sexually transmitted infections. Dosage varies based on the condition being treated, age, and patient-specific factors. Find patient medical information for Doxycycline on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Doxycycline is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It is also used to treat pimples and abscesses (usually on the face) that are caused by rosacea, also known as acne rosacea or adult acne.