Sinuses are hollow chambers present in bones of your forehead, in between eyes as well as on rear side of cheekbones. These make mucus to keep your nasal passages moist. This moisture is helpful to keep allergens such as dust particles as well as pollutants like pollen or dander from getting inside your airways. If these cavities are filled with air, they are considered as healthy; but, if they get blocked, it may lead to growth of germs and infections. But, can you use doxycycline for sinus infections? It is essential to know more about this prior to taking this drug.

Swelling or inflammation of tissues that line up the sinus is known as sinusitis. Blockages in the sinus cavities are not a good sign. This may occur due to allergies like allergic rhinitis as well as common cold. In case of rhinitis, swelling is witnessed on the inner lining of your nasal passages. Sinus infections can be of many types. An acute form of sinusitis can show up as pain on facial areas, runny nose as well as blocking of nasal passages. A chronic form of sinusitis can however last for more than 3 weeks. Some people may witness a recurrent form of sinusitis; it may occur many times each year.

What is doxycycline?

Doxycycline forms part of a genre of meds known as antibacterial meds or antibiotics. It is administered to treat a large range of bacterial infections. Some of the conditions it is used for include urinary tract infections, eye-related bacterial infections, skin problems like acne, etc. The main task of the active chemicals of doxycycline is to arrest the progression of bacterial infections. Due to its unique arrangement, it is classified as a tetracycline antibiotic drug.

This drug is taken along with plenty of water. However, if it is causing stomach upset, take it along with a meal. Never bite or crush a slow release form of this pill; you may run the risk of a sudden discharge of active chemicals. This med is not given to children aged less than 10 years. Intake by children can lead to discoloration of their teeth. For the same reason, women who are pregnant must also stay away from doxycycline; their newly born infants may witness discoloration of teeth once they grow up.

Use of doxycycline for sinus infections

It becomes important to know that this tetracycline antibiotic med is a first choice for treating sinus infections. This med is used for people who are allergic to penicillin or other related antibiotic drugs. Its use is also prescribed when there is a suspected resistance to penicillin. Of late, use of doxycycline has become a common practice for the treatment of sinus infections.

The typical dose of this antibiotic is 100 mg for a period of week or 9 days. The dosage plan may involve intake of such doses two times within a 24-hour timeline. Doxycycline can bring about needful relief within a shorter time span. Another good thing is the active ingredients of this drug can work against a range of causes that trigger microbial infections. So, in most cases, users of this drug can get back to their normal routine within a few days into their medication plan.

Side effects doxycycline can cause while treating sinus infections

This drug is likely to cause a few side effects when taken for treating sinusitis. Most of the side effects are minor in nature. Common among them are inexplicable drop in appetite levels, abdominal discomforts such as vomiting, indigestion, nausea or diarrhea. Most of these discomforts may cease to show up once your body gets used to the key ingredients of this antibiotic med. In some remote instances, you are likely to witness some serious side effects; these include impairment of renal function, high pressure inside the skull often accompanied by blurring of eyesight or severe headache. A few patients complained of non-stop spells of watery stools, traces of blood in stools along with pain in abdomen. These may be caused by a strand known as C. difficile. Anti-diarrheal meds may offer little or no remedy; for most people, intake of such drugs may worsen their abdominal condition. Consult with your caregiving team upon sensing any of the aforesaid signs.

Precautions associated with the intake of doxycycline for sinusitis

Patients of liver conditions like hepatitis or inflammation of liver, and cirrhosis must not take this tetracycline antibiotic drug. Your caregiving team must stay aware of liver based conditions prior to starting your dosage plan. Also, if you are living with sexually transmitted infections, your doctor must be informed of such problems. Women who are using a few types of contraceptives may need to be more careful; doxycycline can make birth control measures to become ineffective. Hence, you are likely to witness unplanned pregnancies. If you are using this drug, switch over to non-hormonal birth control techniques like condoms, vaginal rings or diaphragms.

The list of discomforts shared above does not make a complete list. Side effects and discomforts that are not shared above may also occur. If you are experiencing one or more of unlisted discomforts, reach out for medical help on an emergency basis. Residents of the US can reach out to 911 or call the helpline of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). People in Canada can either call a poison control center or establish immediate contact with Health Canada.

In sum, use of doxycycline is common for the treatment of sinus infections. Typical dosage is 100 mg per day, which is taken for a week or upto 9 days. In some cases of severe infections, you may be asked to take it twice per day. Doxycycline is known to offer relief within a very short time, and is also considered effective against a wide range of infections. However, people living with liver conditions must stay away from this antibiotic. Women who use birth control measures may need to know that this drug can make such contraceptive measures ineffective. It may be a safe practice to use non-hormonal birth control measures such as condoms, diaphragms or vaginal rings. For more information, you are advised to consult with a qualified medical practitioner.