Doxee

What is Doxee by Alto?

Doxee is a doxycycline product made by Alto, supplied as capsules of 100 mg, 30 capsules per pack. Doxycycline is a tetracycline-class antibiotic, developed in the 1960s as a longer-acting and better-absorbed version of tetracycline. It is still one of the most widely used antibiotics in dermatology.

Doxycycline binds to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and prevents new amino acids from being added to growing proteins, so bacteria stop multiplying. At lower doses it also has a separate anti-inflammatory action: it reduces the activity of enzymes and immune signals that drive red, swollen acne lesions. That second effect is why it is used for acne and rosacea, not only for infections.

What is Doxee used for?

For many athletes the reason is acne. Androgens increase sebum production, so oily skin on the face, back and shoulders is a common result of hormone use, and sweat and friction from training make it worse. Doxycycline reduces the number of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria in the follicles and calms the inflammation around them. Its uses include:

• moderate to severe inflammatory acne, usually together with a topical benzoyl peroxide or retinoid product;
• papulopustular rosacea;
• infected hair follicles and some skin and soft tissue infections;
• Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections;
• chlamydia, some respiratory infections, and prevention of malaria when traveling.

How is it taken?

For acne, commonly used doses are 50 to 100 mg once or twice a day. Treatment typically lasts around three months, after which the antibiotic is stopped and the skin is maintained with topical products to limit bacterial resistance. For infections, a common adult scheme is 200 mg on the first day and then 100 mg daily, or 100 mg twice a day, for one to two weeks depending on the infection.

Swallow each capsule with a full glass of water and stay upright for at least half an hour afterward; a capsule stuck in the esophagus can cause a painful ulcer. Iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium supplements and antacids reduce absorption and should be taken a few hours apart. The dose and length of treatment must be agreed with a qualified medical professional.

Possible side effects

The best-known effect is sun sensitivity: skin can burn quickly, so sunscreen and covering up matter while taking Doxee. Nausea and stomach upset are common, especially on an empty stomach. Other possible effects are heartburn or pain on swallowing, vaginal yeast infections, diarrhea and, rarely, raised pressure inside the skull with headache and blurred vision.

Doxycycline should not be used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or by children under eight, as it can stain developing teeth. It must never be combined with isotretinoin, because both raise the risk of intracranial hypertension.

Doxee package

The pack contains 30 capsules of doxycycline 100 mg made by Alto. Doxee can be ordered on MaxLabs.co, where more acne and skin products are collected in the Skin category.