Doxycycline is medication for bacterial infections, acne, Lyme disease and anthrax. Bacterial growth and spread is halted by the medication, according to MedlinePlus. The drug does have various side effects that should be considered when given to patients. Patients should be wary of these side effects and be prepared to deal with them if they occur.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Gastrointestinal side effects have been associated with the administration of doxycycline, according to RxList.com. Side effects in the digestive system include anorexia, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, liver damage and swelling in the esophagus. Patients taking the oral and IV preparations of doxycycline have been reported to suffer from these effects.
Side Effects on the Skin
Doxycycline has been found to cause numerous side effects on the skin, according to Drugs.com. The most common side effect on the skin is a rash. The rash is usually red and composed of alternating flat and raised lesions. Patients may experience a similar rash on areas that are exposed to light. This condition is called photosensitivity. Uncommonly, patients may experience a severe rash that destroys the patient's hair.
Bilirubin Abnormalities
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is synthesized in the liver and in red blood cells. Doxycycline interferes with the proper metabolism of bilirubin, according to MedlinePlus. If bilirubin is not excreted properly then various areas and excretions of the body can change color. Symptoms of this bilirubin abnormality include jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eye, pale colored stool and dark urine. The jaundice is caused by a buildup of the yellow bilirubin in the skin. Bilirubin is the pigment that gives the stool its normal color, thus when bilirubin is unable to enter the intestine, the stool becomes pale. Excess bilirubin is excreted in the urine, and this causes the urine to darken.
Blood
Doxycycline may have various side effects on blood cell production and metabolism, according to RxList.com. Patients may experience anemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells. Patients may also develop low levels of various white blood cells, and this may affect the patient's immune response. Platelet levels also drop and this may cause excess bleeding.
Kidney Function
The kidneys can be damaged by doxycycline, according to Drugs.com. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a blood test done to measure kidney function. The BUN level rises in patients who have been administered large doses of doxycycline. This indicates decreasing kidney function. Patients who experience a large increase in BUN levels might need to undergo further testing for kidney function. The patient should also be taken off doxycycline and given another antibiotic that is not as toxic to the kidney.
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