Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health concern, affecting millions each year. According to the Urology Care Foundation, UTIs lead to around 8.1 million healthcare visits annually. While bacteria are the primary culprits, the infection typically starts in the bladder and can escalate if untreated. Doxycycline, an antibiotic, is often prescribed for UTI treatment. A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that doxycycline can be effective for certain UTIs, though it's not the first-line treatment. When considering how effective doxycycline is for UTI, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider, as they can determine the most appropriate therapy based on the specific type of bacteria and patient medical history.
Taking doxycycline to treat a UTI does not immediately kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Instead, this medication prevents the bacteria from growing and dividing, and a person's immune system cells can then attack the germs. For this reason, the antibiotic must be taken for a time frame of one to two weeks to be effective.
Usually, taking doxycycline for UTI treatment is the most effective when it is taken in doses of 100 milligrams (mg) to 200 mg each day. Children often take lower doses, based on their body weight. This dose is equivalent to 1 mg to 2 mg of the medication for every one pound (0.45 kilograms) of weight. As mentioned, the drug is normally taken for up to two weeks, although occasionally it must be taken longer to fully fight an infection.
Some circumstances can limit how well using doxycycline for UTI will work. This antibiotic affects some strains of bacteria to a greater extent, such as Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. Infections caused by other types of bacteria will therefore usually not be treated as quickly, or as effectively by this drug. Bacteria may also become resistant to antibiotics over time, so occasionally even an infection caused by Chlamydia or Mycoplasma will not respond to doxycycline.
Like all medications, taking doxycycline for UTI can cause side effects. For some people, these side effects can be so severe as to make other drugs seem more worthwhile. These effects can include a burning sensation in the back of the throat and painful reactions to sunlight, although they are rare. Other medications generally do not cause these effects.
The severity of the UTI can also determine whether doxycycline will be an effective treatment. Bacteria from this medical condition can sometimes spread to the kidneys. Generally, kidney infections that are relatively mild and that have not been present for a great deal of time can still be treated by doxycycline. Infections that have become more severe, however, can make this drug less effective in treating both the UTI and the kidneys.
What Other Medications Treat UTIs?
People that experience severe side effects from using doxycycline might benefit from clearing up their UTI with other medications. Many antibiotics are on the market, and many of them effectively treat UTIs.
A doctor might prescribe another antibiotic such as nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, or fosfomycin. Although all of these medications come with potential side effects, they may not be as severe or present in patients that cannot take doxycycline.
How Is Doxycycline Administered?
Doxycycline is taken by mouth in pill form most of the time. It comes in both tablets and capsules, but for a patient that struggles to swallow them whole, there are a few different ways to take it.
Doctors often recommend taking this antibiotic with food, milk, or shortly after a meal since it can upset your stomach. It should be taken at the same time each day as instructed by a doctor.
Patients should swallow tablets and capsules whole unless instructed to take a smaller dose. It’s important to keep in mind not to crush or chew this medicine. Doing so may increase the risk of adverse side effects.
On rare occasions, doxycycline can be administered through an injection. When this happens, the doxycycline comes as a powder mixed with a liquid that will safely carry the medication to the bloodstream. Most often, doxycycline administered this way will be performed by a doctor or medical professional.
How Should Doxycycline Be Stored?
Doxycycline should be kept in a cool, dry place and out of sunlight. Medicine cabinets in bathrooms are not the ideal place for storing medications due to the moisture and high temperatures.
Can You Get Doxycycline Over-the-Counter?
Like most antibiotics, a doctor must prescribe doxycycline. Abusing antibiotics is dangerous not only for the patient taking them but for the general population.
If someone suffering from a UTI does not experience relief with doxycycline, they shouldn’t try to acquire more without guidance from a medical professional. Other antibiotics are available and likely more effective at treating UTIs that do not respond to doxycycline. It could also be the case that the patient does not have a UTI and should have further testing done.
Many online drugs claim they can clear infections but are not real or tested antibiotics. These are not doxycycline, and patients shouldn’t consume them unless directed by a doctor.
How Much Will It Cost To Treat a UTI With Doxycycline?
Determining the cost of antibiotics is affected by several factors, including brand name and insurance coverage.
The administration will also play a role in cost. If the antibiotic was administered in an emergency room or received as an injection, the price will likely go up. This is another good reason to get UTIs treated right away.
Just like other medications, this antibiotic comes in both brand-name and generic versions. Most of the time, generic versions of medicines contain the same dosage of active ingredients and will treat the infection just as well as a brand name.
Insurance coverage plays the most essential role in the cost of this medication. Some providers and plans will cover this antibiotic entirely, but the patient will likely pay a portion of the bill. Fortunately, doxycycline taken orally in tablet form isn’t usually expensive. Patients with insurance can expect to pay less than $30 for a standard prescription.
Can Doxycycline Be Used Preventatively for UTI?
Doxycycline is often prescribed in low doses as a preventative measure, especially for women in whom UTIs are common.
Urinary tract infections often recur, and for some, this may happen several times a year, but preventative antibiotics can help. Because a UTI can become severe, treating them is important, but treating recurrences can become impractical over a long period of time. In cases such as these, medical professionals might prescribe doxycycline to help prevent re-infection.
Where Can People Get Doxycycline?
A doctor must prescribe doxycycline. However, patients can pick it up at nearly any pharmacy. It is a very popular antibiotic, and doctors all over the United States prescribe it for infections.
Once a doctor prescribes the antibiotic, they will give the patient the prescription to take to a pharmacy, or the office will call a pharmacy where the patient can pick it up.
There are no stores that sell doxycycline over-the-counter.
Are There Natural Treatments for UTI?
Very mild infections might clear up on their own with remedies such as increased water intake, but more often than not, they will need to be treated with antibiotics. In any case, a UTI is very uncomfortable, and most people will not want to wait to have it treated. Patients should seek medical advice as soon as they notice the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.