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STDs (Expert Forum)
Doxycycline problems?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Doxycycline problems?
by swedishguy, Dec 01, 2006 12:00AM
Hi,
I have a few questions regarding STD medications. While being out travelling I talked to a doctor after an unprotected incident. Since there was not much time for testing and treatment I was given doxycycline 2 times a day for 10 days and 1 dose of cefaxime (400mg) since this would cure most STDs. After taking the doxycycline for about a day I was starting to feel a bit sick, not that much, but a mild illness and nausea. After one more day I noticed that my skin was reacting, it felt almost exactly like a sunburn. I read a little on the internet regarding this, and a common side effect of doxycycline seems to be that it can cause fotoallergic symptoms. However, since I have barely been outside, and it has not been sunny at all this seems a bit strange?
I stopped the doxycycline (after 5 pills) since it freaked me out a bit, and talked to the doctor again over the phone. He recommended to use zithromax instead in a one time dose (1-2g). Now I am a bit hesitant to this, since I do not know how I will react to this medication (which seems stronger)? I have not had any allergic reactions at all to any medication or antibiotic before, and not to anything else for that matter.
1 Do you have any idea as to what could have caused this skin reaction? I was also recently vaccinated against hepatitis B, but this cannot be the cause? Right?
2. Can I take the zithromax / cefaxime dose, or is there a good chance that I will respond badly to that medication also?
3. This "sunburn" feeling has been getting less noticable but is still there (one week now). Do you know how long this can take before it disappears?
I understand that you might not be able to answer these questions from a distance. Grateful for a response anyway. (sorry for the language, english is not my native language).
I have a few questions regarding STD medications. While being out travelling I talked to a doctor after an unprotected incident. Since there was not much time for testing and treatment I was given doxycycline 2 times a day for 10 days and 1 dose of cefaxime (400mg) since this would cure most STDs. After taking the doxycycline for about a day I was starting to feel a bit sick, not that much, but a mild illness and nausea. After one more day I noticed that my skin was reacting, it felt almost exactly like a sunburn. I read a little on the internet regarding this, and a common side effect of doxycycline seems to be that it can cause fotoallergic symptoms. However, since I have barely been outside, and it has not been sunny at all this seems a bit strange?
I stopped the doxycycline (after 5 pills) since it freaked me out a bit, and talked to the doctor again over the phone. He recommended to use zithromax instead in a one time dose (1-2g). Now I am a bit hesitant to this, since I do not know how I will react to this medication (which seems stronger)? I have not had any allergic reactions at all to any medication or antibiotic before, and not to anything else for that matter.
1 Do you have any idea as to what could have caused this skin reaction? I was also recently vaccinated against hepatitis B, but this cannot be the cause? Right?
2. Can I take the zithromax / cefaxime dose, or is there a good chance that I will respond badly to that medication also?
3. This "sunburn" feeling has been getting less noticable but is still there (one week now). Do you know how long this can take before it disappears?
I understand that you might not be able to answer these questions from a distance. Grateful for a response anyway. (sorry for the language, english is not my native language).
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Dec 01, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 01, 2006 12:00AM
You describe classical side effects from doxycycline. It often causes mild GI upset, which can be reduced by taking the drug with food. It is one of the most common causes of drug-induced photosensitivity, which causes exactly the symptooms you describe. Good for you for stopping the drug. Continuing it, along with sun exposure, can result in really severe sunburn. Doxy isn't completely gone from the system for at least 3-4 days after the last dose. Stay out of the sun as much as possible (or use a strong sunblock, spf 30 or higher) for the next week.
Azithromycin (Zithromax) is no "stronger" than doxycycline, just a different antibiotic. It is chemically entirely different and does not cause photosensitivity. I'm not certain you needed STD treatment at all, but it will cause no harm if you go ahead and take it. It might also cause some nausea, cramping, or diarrhea, but those are harmless and go away in a few hours.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Azithromycin (Zithromax) is no "stronger" than doxycycline, just a different antibiotic. It is chemically entirely different and does not cause photosensitivity. I'm not certain you needed STD treatment at all, but it will cause no harm if you go ahead and take it. It might also cause some nausea, cramping, or diarrhea, but those are harmless and go away in a few hours.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Cefixime, doxycycline, and azithromycin all are chemically entirely different from one another.
If you have further questions, please ask them of the provider who prescribed your treatment.
HHH, MD