LymeNet Flash: Allergic Reaction to Doxycycline?

This is topic Allergic Reaction to Doxycycline? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :

Hi guys,

I'm frustrated [Frown]

I started a new round of doxy last night; by morning, I'd developed a little red spot on my shoulder -- figured it was a herx rash.

Took my next dose this AM; three hours later, I had more red raised round spots on my face; waited another hour -- red spot started on my neck...

LLMD says it might be allergic reaction to the doxy -- stop the doxy; take antihistamines; call back for next steps once the rashes have resolved.

Have any of you experienced this? What was it? I'm still hoping it's some kind of herx reaction, because doxy has been helpful in the past, and I don't feel it's done doing its job...

Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :

I've had it happen with other antibiotics. It's a good thing you stopped it.

Minocycline made my neck and face swell up. These reactions can be fatal.

I was fine taking amoxicillin. I've taken rounds in the past, but the last time I got a full body rash that took 2 months to go away.

Allergies can come on suddenly.

Hey, you might be fine with minocycline. I can't do mino, but I'm fine with doxy.

I've been allergic to 5 antibiotics as I've been on this Lyme journey. There are several antibiotics out there and something might work even better for you than doxy.

Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :

Thank you, Judie! I think I will suggest that we don't try it again, if my LLMD offers it -- there was some mention of that possibility when I spoke w/ his nurse who called to relay what to do about the reaction.

I've not tried Mino...heartened to think there may be other options. Aside from doxy, another medication I feel I'm not done with receiving beneficial effects from is Levaquin, but I had excruciating pain in my calves one AM, and will not be trying that again (potential danger of ligament tears). My LLMD told me that doxy and levaquin work in a similar fashion...

Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :

I've had a good response to ceftin. It's pretty mild.

I lot of people do well on amoxicillin, but I don't. I'm doing well on bicillin (it's a shot). They are both penicillin, so even if something is in the same class, you might not be allergic to it.

Minocycline and doxycycline are both tetracyclines. Again, I'm fine with one and not the other.

There will be something that works for you. [Smile]

There are so many antibiotic options and it's best to do what your body likes. You'll make good progress that way.

Hang in there and it's good you caught this before it got really bad.