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If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
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An antibiotic for bacterial sinus infections, mainly used if you are allergic to penicillin. Prescribed after an online consultation with a UK prescriber.
Most sinusitis is caused by a virus and clears without antibiotics. Doxycycline is for a likely bacterial sinus infection: for example if you are very unwell, or if symptoms have lasted 10 days or more and are not improving. A UK prescriber checks this during your consultation. If you have swelling around the eye, changes in your vision or a severe headache, get urgent medical help by calling 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Order before 3pm — same-day dispatch (MON - FRI)
~5 min consultation
Secure & confidential · Reviewed by a UK prescriber
Suitable age
18 years +
Max per order
1 course
Consultation
Yes, online (included in the price)
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It is licensed in the UK to treat sinusitis caused by bacteria, and it works by stopping bacteria from multiplying so your immune system can clear the infection. As the infection settles, so do the facial pain, pressure and congestion it causes.
Most sinusitis is caused by a virus and gets better within two to three weeks, and antibiotics do not help with viral infections. NICE recommends an antibiotic only when a bacterial infection is likely: if you are very unwell or at high risk of complications, or as a back-up if symptoms have lasted 10 days or more and are getting worse. Where an antibiotic is needed, phenoxymethylpenicillin is the usual first choice. Doxycycline and clarithromycin are the first choices if you are allergic to penicillin or can’t take it. Our guide to clarithromycin and doxycycline for sinusitis compares the two.
After a short online consultation, a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your answers. If doxycycline is right for you, it is dispensed by our UK pharmacy and sent in plain packaging. If it is not, the prescriber will explain why and tell you where to get the right care.
| Active ingredient | Doxycycline (as hyclate) 100 mg capsules |
| Type | Tetracycline antibiotic (oral capsules) |
| Used for | Sinusitis caused by bacteria (licensed use); first choice if allergic to penicillin |
| Typical dose | 200mg (2 capsules) on day 1, then 100mg (1 capsule) once a day for 4 days |
| Pack size | Full treatment course: 5 days, 6 capsules |
| Prescription | Prescription-only medicine (POM) |
| How supplied | After an online consultation with a UK prescriber |
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses and get better on their own within two to three weeks. For the first 10 days, rest, fluids, pain relief and saline rinses are usually all you need. If symptoms have lasted 10 days or more without improving, a steroid nasal spray is often the more useful next step, because by then the problem is usually swelling that blocks the sinuses rather than infection. Our guide to steroid spray vs antibiotics explains why.
An antibiotic may be needed if:
you are very unwell, with a high temperature or severe facial pain;
you got better and then clearly worse again (“double sickening”);
you are at high risk of complications, for example because of a weakened immune system.
Our guides on whether a sinus infection is bacterial or viral and whether you need antibiotics go into the detail.
Doxycycline in particular is a first choice if you are allergic to penicillin or can’t take it. If you can take penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin is usually preferred, although it is currently affected by a UK-wide supply shortage, so your prescriber will advise on the best option.
Doxycycline is not suitable if you:
are pregnant or breastfeeding;
are allergic to doxycycline or another tetracycline antibiotic (such as lymecycline or minocycline).
Get urgent help (call 111, or 999 in an emergency) if you have swelling or redness around the eye, double or reduced vision, a severe headache, a stiff neck or confusion.
Doxycycline is licensed in the UK for sinusitis and works well against the bacteria that cause it. NICE lists it as a first choice for people who are allergic to penicillin. Most sinusitis is viral, though, and antibiotics don’t help viral infections, so a prescriber first checks whether a bacterial infection is likely.
Many people start to feel better within 2 to 3 days. Finish the full 5-day course even if you feel better sooner. If you are no better after the course, or you get worse at any point, speak to a GP.
The usual adult dose is 200mg (2 capsules) on the first day, then 100mg (1 capsule) once a day for 4 more days: a 5-day course of 6 capsules, as recommended by NICE. Always follow the dose on your label.
NICE lists both as first choices for people allergic to penicillin, and neither is clearly better. Doxycycline is taken once a day, after a double first dose. Clarithromycin is taken twice a day and interacts with more medicines, such as some statins. Neither is used in pregnancy. Our guide to clarithromycin and doxycycline for sinusitis compares them.
They are used for different people. In the UK, phenoxymethylpenicillin, rather than amoxicillin, is usually the first choice if you can take penicillin, and doxycycline is used if you can’t. Our guide to amoxicillin vs doxycycline explains the UK approach.
Usually not. Most sinusitis is caused by a virus and clears within two to three weeks. If symptoms last 10 days or more, a steroid nasal spray is often more useful. Antibiotics are for people who are very unwell, at high risk of complications, or getting worse. Our guide to whether you need antibiotics for a sinus infection explains more.
The most common are headache, feeling sick, a rash and burning more easily in the sun. Some people also get an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Get help straight away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, severe diarrhoea, or a severe headache with changes in your vision.
Don’t take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or allergic to doxycycline or another tetracycline antibiotic. Our service is for adults aged 18 and over. Tell the prescriber if you have liver problems, lupus or myasthenia gravis, or take warfarin, ciclosporin, retinoids or anti-epilepsy medicines.
Small amounts are unlikely to matter, but it’s best to keep alcohol low during the course. Regular or heavy drinking can reduce how long doxycycline stays active in the body, and you are likely to recover faster without it. Avoid heavy drinking, especially if you have liver problems.
Take care. Doxycycline can make you burn much more easily. Avoid strong sun and sunbeds, use a high-factor sunscreen and cover up. Stop taking it and get advice if your skin goes red.
Yes, after an online consultation. Doxycycline is a prescription-only antibiotic. A GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews whether a bacterial infection is likely and whether doxycycline is safe for you before it is dispensed by our UK pharmacy.
Helpful articles and clinical guides related to this treatment category.
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