Does Doxycycline Treat UTI – Exploring the Effectiveness

If you are dealing with discomfort and suffering caused by bacterial infections? Well, we have a fantastic solution for you. We are introducing powerhouse doxycycline, ready to kick any bacterial infections with its remarkable effectiveness.

But does Doxycycline treat UTIs? 

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common diseases caused by bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and fungi. On the other hand, Doxycycline is considered the powerhouse to fight against specific bacteria. However, this antibiotic is not typically the first-line treatment for UTIs. With its remarkable effectiveness, doxy can be a go-to solution to treat acute UTI. But in the case of treating the entire UTI, there are better solutions than this one.

Are you still trying to understand? Then join us. Let’s delve into the world of Doxycycline and find out whether it’s the ultimate warrior against UTIs or not.

Does Doxycycline Treat UTI?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that treats bacteria in a wide range. It is a denoting antibiotic in the tetracycline class. It is applied to the control of bacterial and some parasitic diseases. The uterus, kidney, bladder, and urethra all work together to cure urinary tract infections since they are all components of the urinary system.

However, what type of UTI does Doxycycline treat? If the cause of the urinary tract infection is viral, doxy will not treat it effectively. Specifically, we will discuss the parts related to urinary function and explore whether Doxy treats them.  

• Bladder infection

Cystitis is a common type of bladder infection, especially in women. Cystitis is considered a viral infection. Unfortunately, doxy doesn’t treat viral infections like cystitis. 

• Uterus infection

To treat infections like endometritis which is known as uterus infection, doxy is the best option you can choose. Bacteria like chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, or a mix of normal vaginal bacteria cause the disease. It speeds up the recovery from the infection caused by tuberculosis. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 100% of patients were treated with doxy and achieved a microbiologic cure. Not only that, Maine.gov suggested Doxycycline and cefixime treat gonorrhea.

• Urethra infection

Urethritis is known as the urethra infection. Doxycycline proved super effective in treating urethritis. According to the National Library of Medicine statistics, 25 men with non-specific urethritis/adnexitis were treated with 200 mg doxycycline monohydrate daily for ten days. 67% of patients were cured, and 62% improved, with microbiological cure achieved in all cases. Toleration of doxy was good in other patients.

• Kidney infection

Although kidney infection starts from a bladder infection, it’s more severe than cystitis. However, Doxycycline is not used for kidney infections. Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, cefalexin, co-amoxiclav, and trimethoprim are the first reliable option for treating kidney infections. 

How Effective is Doxycycline for UTI?

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Doxycycline is effective for complicated UTIs with multiple pathogens. Despite its power to accomplish high concentrations in the urine. It can treat other types of UTIs, like urethritis

This amazing antibiotic has a wide range of activity and low toxicity. And another fact is this is likely to prevent the growth of bacteria where the others work to kill bacteria. 

Types of Doxycycline to Treat UTI

Doxycycline is found in two forms. 

1. Doxycycline Hyclate
2. Doxycycline monohydrate 

Two of them work for individual bacterial infections. 

Doxycycline Hyclate Treat UTI

Doxycycline Hyclate is not adequate to treat Urinary Tract infections. In general, This medication is used to treat bacteria that cause acne. Moreover, this medication is also used to prevent severe diseases like malaria. 

It stops the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections and does not work for viral infections (such as the common cold, flu).

Doxycycline Monohydrate Treat UTI

Doxycycline monohydrate treats UTI, but it’s not the first choice to treat that. Instead of UTI, this antibiotic is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:

• Infections caused by ticks, fleas, or mites (ex: Typhus Fever or Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (ex: syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea)
• Oracea (doxycycline monohydrate) is used to treat rosacea
• Lung infections (such as pneumonia)
• Stomach infections
• Severe acne
• Anthrax
• Cholera
• Plague

So, does Doxycycline monohydrate treat UTI? From the above list, this one effectively treats urinary infections like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and syphilis. 

Can Doxycycline Treat A UTI in Humans

Doxycycline is a super effective antibiotic for some particular UTIs. In that case, age and gender is also a fact. So, here we will now share why it can’t be a go-to solution in general. 

• Doxycycline for UTI in adult

As we said before, this particular antibiotic works for severe urinary bacterial infections. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and nitrofurantoin are the first choices to treat uncomplicated UTIs. However, when in need, it plays the superhero role to vanish the bacteria in adults. 

• Doxycycline for UTI in females

Doxy can be used to treat UTIs in females. But whether the female is pregnant or nursing a baby is significant because antibiotics like this may hamper the unborn child’s bones and teeth during pregnancy.

Not only that, but doxy also reduces the effectiveness of birth control pills. 

Even a breastfeeding mom can’t take doxycycline as the medicine disrupts breast milk and affects the baby’s teeth and bones.

• Doxycycline for UTI in males

First-line antibiotics like, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin are often preferred due to their high efficacy against the uncomplicated bacteria causing UTIs in males.

In certain situations where other antibiotics are unsuitable, doxy is prescribed for UTIs in males. Especially Chlamydia. That is most often caused by anal intercourse by males. 

• Doxycycline for UTI in children

Undoubtedly, this antibiotic is a fantastic medication, except for children. It can cause irreversible yellowing or graying of the teeth in children under the age of eight.

How Much Doxycycline Can I Take for UTI??

The dosage of doxy for a urinary tract infection (UTI) depends on factors such as the infection’s severity, age, weight, and health condition. Here, we have shared a table mentioning the amount of doxy you can take based on gender, age, and formulations. Hope it will help. 

Illinois.gov has shared a complete guide to liquid dosage of antibiotics for children based on their weight. Here it is 

Doxycycline oral liquid

25mg per 5ml (per teaspoon)

Doxycycline Dosage for UTI in others

Doxy is helpful not just for people but also for pets like cats and dogs. Like it treats infections in people, it also treats conditions in dogs and cats by preventing bacterial growth. 

Moreover, this antibiotic can treat various conditions, including infected wounds, tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, common bacterial infections like respiratory and urinary tract infections, toxoplasmosis, and even periodontitis (gum infection). 

Doxycycline treats UTIs in cats.

According to a German study, the antibiotic is effective in treating chlamydophila, which is found in the respiratory tract of cats. It can eliminate 100% of the bacteria. But does Doxycycline treat UTI in cats? Yes, it does. 

The common brands of Doxycycline are available followingly.

• Adoxa, 
• Alodox, 
• Atridox,
• Doryx, 
• Doxy, 
• Monodox, 
• Oracea, 
• Oraxyl, 
• Periostat, 
• Vibramycin, 
• Vibravet, 
• Vibra-Tabs, 
• Doxirobe

Does Doxycycline treat UTI in dogs?

Doxycycline is also used in heartworm disease in dogs. According to the National Library of Medicine, Doxy had a positive therapeutic effect in dogs with hip osteoarthritis, with statistically significant improvements in lameness, joint mobility, pain, weight-bearing, and overall score. Biomarker levels of CS-WF6 epitope and hyaluronan increased and decreased at 2 and 3 months. 

It has a broad spectrum of applications and several different brand names; popular ones include: 

• Vibramycin
• Adoxa
• Oracea
• Doryx
• Monodox
• Periostat
• Acticlate
• Doxirobe

Considerations 

A few things to consider when giving Doxycycline to dogs or cats. 

First, stop giving your cat dairy or foods with high iron or calcium content because these can inhibit the absorption of the antibiotic.

Secondly, keep your cat or dog out of the sunlight during this medication. Consequently, it can make some animals more sensitive to sunburn, especially on the ears and nose. 

Last but not least, due to the possibility of tooth discoloration in developing kittens or puppies, this drug is not advised for use in pregnant cats and dogs. 

Doxycycline Side Effects 

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The antibiotic doxy has a significant impact on treating some bacterial infections, but it’s been no less than a tragedy for some. Here we discuss the side effects of Doxycycline. Take a look.

Side Effects of Doxycycline in Adults

Serious side effects are rare and rarely happen 1 in 1,000 people.

• Nosebleeds, a sore throat, high temperature, and tired or unwell
• Diarrhea (with stomach cramps) that contains blood or mucus.
• Buzzing in your ears, pale poo, and dark pee 
• Eyes or skin or both turn yellow, and joint or muscle pain, severe headaches, vomiting, and difficulties with your vision.
• pressure around your brain (intracranial hypertension)
• A fingernail starts coming away from the base. This could be a reaction of photo-onycholysis
• A sore or swollen lips, mouth, or tongue, 
• Severe pain in your stomach, with or without bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. 
• Difficulty or pain when you swallow, acid reflux, a smaller appetite, or chest pain

Possible Side Effects of Liquid Doxycycline on Children

• Upset stomach and diarrhea 
• Sunburn
• Possible permanent staining of teeth warnings 
• Allergic effects such as trouble breathing 
• Swelling of face, lips, or tongue
• Closing of the throat 
• Bulging soft spots in infants
• Painful swallowing 
• Yellowing of skin or eyes, 
• Stomach pain, dark urine, throwing up 
• Loss of appetite 

As Doxy is a powerful antibiotic, it must have some side effects. But there is nothing to worry about. The body will adjust with time during the medication. All the problems will be gone after the end of the treatment. 

Precautions When Taking Doxycycline to Treat UTI

When using this particular antibiotic, take precautions to ensure its effectiveness and minimize the risk of side effects. As a precaution, we are going to share some dos and don’ts.

Dos

• Intake of food or drink a glass of water while taking the oral medication
• Wear sun-protective clothing and use sunscreen with high SPF
• Stay hydrated 
• Finish the full course

Don’ts

• Take more or less than the recommended dosage
• Consume dairy product
• Intake calcium supplements, antacids, iron supplements, or any products containing magnesium, aluminum, and other multivitamin within two hours of taking doxy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How much will it cost to treat a UTI with Doxycycline

Two main factors, including brand name and insurance coverage, influence the cost of antibiotics. Accordingly, Doxy is not that expensive. Moreover, it’s available in both generic form and brand name. It costs less than 30$ for patients with insurance.

• How long does Doxycycline take to treat UTI?

As a powerful antibiotic, doxy starts to work within two hours. However, it depends on the condition of the infection. Generally, taking this medication takes 1 or 2 days to see the changes. To clear the disease entirely, it takes 7-14 days. In significant cases, it may take even two months.

• Is Doxycycline FDA approved for cats?

Doxycycline is not FDA-approved as a veterinary medication. However, Veterinarians can legally prescribe certain human drugs to animals in certain circumstances. This is called extra-label or off-label use since this isn’t allowed to be described on the drug label. Doxycycline is also available as a Doxirobe® Gel (a formula of doxycycline hyclate). It is FDA-approved. And can control periodontal disease in dogs. 

Conclusion 

Finally, we hope you got your answer to the question: Does Doxycycline treat UTI? However, despite being decisive for the specific portion of UTI, Doxy is less reliable than other antibiotics like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofurantoin.

It shows efficacy in stopping the growth of specific bacteria like chlamydia of the uterus or urethritis of urethra infection. Still, it’s not a well-established antibiotic to treat entire urinary tract infections.