How should doxycycline be taken after a tick bite: what dosage? - briefly
Take doxycycline 100 mg by mouth once daily, beginning as soon as possible after the bite (preferably within 72 hours) and continue for 10–14 days. This regimen provides effective prophylaxis against tick‑borne infections.
How should doxycycline be taken after a tick bite: what dosage? - in detail
Doxycycline is the preferred agent for preventing infection after an attachment by a potentially disease‑carrying tick. The standard prophylactic regimen is a single oral dose of 200 mg taken as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after the bite. This dose should be administered with a full glass of water, and the patient should remain upright for at least 30 minutes to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation.
If signs of infection appear—fever, rash, headache, or joint pain—a therapeutic course is required. The recommended treatment is 100 mg taken twice daily for 14 to 21 days. The duration depends on the clinical response and the specific pathogen suspected (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi). For pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg, the dose is 4 mg/kg (maximum 200 mg) twice daily, not exceeding the adult regimen.
Key administration points:
- Food and calcium: Doxycycline absorption is reduced by dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements. Take the medication on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after meals, unless gastrointestinal upset occurs.
- Hydration: Adequate fluid intake helps prevent esophageal ulceration and renal stones.
- Contraindications: Avoid in patients with known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines, severe hepatic impairment, or pregnancy. In pregnancy, alternative agents such as amoxicillin should be considered.
- Adverse effects: Common reactions include nausea, photosensitivity, and mild diarrhoea. Severe reactions such as Stevens‑Johnson syndrome are rare but require immediate discontinuation.
Monitoring includes assessing symptom resolution, checking for adverse reactions, and, when indicated, performing serologic testing to confirm eradication of the pathogen. Compliance with the full course is essential to prevent treatment failure and the development of resistant organisms.