Doxycycline 100mg capsules

What are Doxycycline 100mg Capsules?

Doxycycline 100mg Capsules are a prescription-only antibiotic medicine commonly used for the prevention of malaria in travellers visiting areas where malaria is present.

Each capsule contains doxycycline 100mg, an antibiotic from the tetracycline group of medicines. When used for malaria prevention, doxycycline works by interfering with the ability of malaria parasites to produce proteins that are essential for their growth and survival. This helps prevent the parasites from developing within the body following an infected mosquito bite.

Doxycycline is supplied following a travel health assessment to ensure it is appropriate for your destination, travel itinerary, medical history and current medications.

Available pack sizes

37, 44, 51, 58, 86 and 114 capsules.

How Does Doxycycline Work?

Doxycycline helps prevent malaria infection by stopping malaria parasites from developing within the body after a mosquito bite.

When an infected mosquito bites, malaria parasites enter the bloodstream and begin part of their life cycle within the liver before spreading throughout the body. Doxycycline interferes with protein production inside the parasite, preventing it from growing and multiplying effectively. As a result, the parasite is unable to establish an infection.

No antimalarial medication provides complete protection against malaria, as no treatment can guarantee prevention in every case. For this reason, mosquito bite prevention measures should always be followed alongside treatment.

Who Can Use Doxycycline?

Doxycycline may be suitable for:

• Adults travelling to malaria-risk destinations
• Travellers requiring malaria prevention for extended trips
• Individuals visiting regions where doxycycline is recommended by travel health guidelines
• Travellers seeking a daily antimalarial option

Who May Not Be Suitable?

This treatment may not be suitable if you:

• Are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional
• Have certain liver conditions
• Are taking medicines that may interact with doxycycline
• Are under 12 years of age

Our clinicians will assess suitability before treatment is supplied.

How to Take Doxycycline

Typical Dosing Schedule

• Start treatment 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area
• Continue taking one capsule daily during travel
• Continue treatment for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area
• Take the capsule at the same time each day
• Swallow with plenty of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it

Taking doxycycline consistently throughout your trip and after returning home is important for effective malaria prevention.

Benefits of Doxycycline

• Effective malaria prevention for many destinations
• Suitable for longer trips
• Daily dosing schedule
• Starts working with treatment beginning just 1–2 days before travel
• Widely recommended for many malaria-risk regions
• Available following an online travel health consultation
• Multiple pack sizes available to suit different trip lengths

Malaria Prevention Advice

Antimalarial medication should always be combined with mosquito bite avoidance measures, including:

• Using insect repellent containing DEET or other recommended ingredients
• Sleeping under mosquito nets where appropriate
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing during evenings and at night
• Staying in air-conditioned or screened accommodation where possible

Combining medication with bite prevention provides the best protection against malaria.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, doxycycline can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Vomiting

Most side effects are mild and temporary.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before taking treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start taking doxycycline for malaria prevention?

Treatment should usually begin 1–2 days before entering a malaria-risk area.

How long should treatment continue after travel?

Doxycycline should be continued for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area.

Can I stop taking doxycycline once I return home?

No. It is important to complete the full course, including the 4 weeks after travel, to ensure maximum protection.

What happens if a dose is missed?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Does doxycycline increase sensitivity to sunlight?

Yes. Doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn. Use high-factor sunscreen and protective clothing while travelling.

Is doxycycline suitable for long trips?

Yes. Doxycycline is commonly used for extended travel when clinically appropriate. Our prescribers will advise based on your travel plans.

Our Travel Health Service

Before treatment is supplied, you will complete a travel health consultation.

During your assessment we may ask about:

• Countries being visited
• Areas within those countries
• Length of travel
• Previous medical history
• Current medications
• Previous reactions to antimalarial medication

Our qualified clinicians will review the information provided and determine the most appropriate malaria prevention option.

Once approved, you can choose between convenient home delivery or in-store collection.

We will provide instructions on the next steps after your consultation has been reviewed and approved.

Important Information

No antimalarial medication provides complete protection against malaria.

You should always follow mosquito bite prevention measures and seek urgent medical attention if you develop fever or flu-like symptoms during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area.

Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before starting treatment.