Low Dose Doxycyline

January 19th, 2006

There is a new trend in dermatology that involves using low dose doxycycline. Doxycyline is one of the oral antibiotics commonly used in acne therapy. In addition to fighting bacteria, doxycyline also helps to decrease inflammation. There is a school of thought that the anti-inflammatory effects are more important than the anti-bacterial effects when it comes to improving acne.

As a results, interest in low dose or “sub-antimicrobial” dose doxycyline is being investigated. With this dose, the doxycycline does not act like an antibiotic, it acutally does not get to high enough levels to fight bacteria. As a results, common side effects including yeast infections, photosensitivity, and potential bacterial resistence are not issues.

At this lower dose, you strictly get the anti-inflammatory effects. This low dose regimen which consists of 20mg twice daily was first looked at in rosacea and is currently being investigated for acne.

We’ll keep you posted…

Entry Filed under: Acne Treatments