I started doxycycline yesterday. I had bought myself a little bit of ice cream to have with my first dose, since what could help the medicine go down better than ice cream? When lo and behold, I found out that dairy and doxy don't mix!
Does anyone know:
(1) Why you can't take dairy with doxy? Is it because of the high calcium content? I may want to start substituting some vegan options -- but not if they have the same chars as the dairy!
(2) How long before or after eating dairy you have to wait to take the doxy? The pharmacy info says 2-3 hours for some medications, but doesn't say for foods.
Thanks!
-------------------- Wildlife biologist working in tropics since 1997; tick bites in Nicaragua in March 2007, started getting sick May 2007; diagnosed with Lyme based on serological testing in Jan 2009; treatment starting Feb 2009. Wish me luck! Posts: 116 | From Seattle | Registered: Feb 2009
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It is because of the calcium. Make sure vegan options are not fortified with calcium, such as calcium fortified soymilk.
Posts: 311 | From CA | Registered: Jul 2008
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You are supposed to wait two hours before and two hours after before taking in any calcium. This is a miserable medication to be on, especially if you take it three times a day because you have very few opportunities to drink milk, eat cheese, or any other delicious treat.
The calcium lowers the body's ability to fully absorb the antibiotic which is why such horrible dietary restrictions exist.
Make sure you don't take on an empty stomach. I have an iron stomach and can count on one hand how many times i have thrown up in my life and taking the doxy without food made the list. The pharmacist told me to take on an empty stomach which is why i did it:(
You may want to peanut butter on toast (if you LLMD says you can eat bread). If not, a spoonful of PB? Treating this disease is more like a horrible diet than anything else. anything you like somehow is not allowed throughout treatment.
Hope this helps.
-------------------- Misdiagnosed and untreated from 1993-2008. - iGenex positive western blot for LD: 9/08 - Clinical diagnosis for Babesia: 2/09 - Positive blood smear for Bartonella: 3/09
Started treatment: 1/09 Posts: 91 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jan 2009
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I think for some Doxy can be difficult. It may be responsible for my daughter's ulcer. However I was doing very well on it until sun sensitivty became an issue. I took it for almost 3 months. Take Doxy with breakfast, lunch and dinner (or substancial night-time snack)- spaced approx. 8 hours apart. No dairy - unless as a snack between meals (soy milk is fine). Drink a full glass of water. Avoid the sun - even through car windows - you can get badly burned. Don't go to bed or lay down for a couple hours after taking it - you will get terrible heartburn like pain. Good Luck! -p
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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Like janice70 said, be careful of soy milk. I could not find any soy milk or almond milk that was not fortified with calcium.
good luck!
-------------------- Misdiagnosed and untreated from 1993-2008. - iGenex positive western blot for LD: 9/08 - Clinical diagnosis for Babesia: 2/09 - Positive blood smear for Bartonella: 3/09
Started treatment: 1/09 Posts: 91 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jan 2009
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I read that dairy and magnesium - antacids like Maalox that contain calcium -- all diminish the effect of doxycycline by binding it up and rendering it less effective.
I think this holds true for a few other abx too -- I remember taking Cipro for travelers diarrhea and had to repeat the treatment because I was taking Maalox tabs to help the stomach -- canceled out the effect of the Cipro.
My rule of thumb for doxy dairy rules is two hours before and one hour after -- but sometimes I think that my digestion is slower --
I do take Prilosec every day (not at the same time as the doxy)for hiatial hernia. I heard it helps prevent ulcers from taking so many antibiotics.
I can also attest to sun problems -- got a really bad burn in Mexico on my cheeks and nose -- it is taking weeks to heal. I was careful, but not careful enough.
I am taking 200 mg of doxy twice a day. I take the first dose int he morning following a breakfast of toast, egg with margerine (no dairy butter) -- my second dose at about 4 p.m. with a little toast or crackers or something - not dairy.
Good luck. Handling all these rules and meds and still suffering with herx, etc. is no fun -- but I hear it's worth it when you get better.
-------------------- Judy G. Posts: 122 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2008
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Besides the dairy issue: You need to eat something more substantial than ice cream while taking doxy. Doxy will eat your stomach if you're not careful.
Do not lie down for at LEAST 30 min after taking doxy.
Ice cream should be avoided by all Lyme patients, as the sugar will give you intestinal/systemic yeast. You don't want that, trust me!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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