Chlamydia treatment

This chlamydia treatment comes in tablet or pill for oral use. Available for collection or delivery.

Taking chlamydia treatment

Take 1 tablet, twice a day, for 7 days. Swallow the tablet with plenty of water.

Doxycycline is best taken with food, or a glass of milk, and should be taken at least one hour before you go to bed.

Complete the 7-day course of treatment to clear the infection. Do not have sex until you have completed all 7 days of treatment.

If you are allergic to Doxycycline, you will be prescribed an alternative antibiotic.

How do chlamydia tablets works

Doxycycline is an antibiotic. It can be used to treat chlamydia by killing the bacteria that cause the infection.

Effectiveness of chlamydia treatment

When taken correctly, the prescribed treatment will kill the bacteria causing the infection. You should avoid sexual contact until you and any sexual partners have completed the course of antibiotics.

This medicine is not a vaccination. You must take precautions to avoid reinfection. Using condoms every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, anal) is the best way to make sure you do not get STIs.

Chlamydia treatment side effects

The most common side effects include sensitivity to sunlight (exaggerated sunburn reaction), indigestion (inflammation or ulcers of the gullet) and, in women, vaginal thrush.

For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.

Important information about chlamydia treatment

Do not take Doxycycline if there is a chance of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding.

Do not take Doxycycline if you have symptoms. You should attend your local sexual health clinic. Symptoms include:

• Discharge/fluid from your penis
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Increase or change to vaginal discharge
• Bleeding during or after sex, or between periods
• Pain or burning on passing urine or passing urine more often
• Pain, bleeding or discharge/fluid from your rectum/bottom
• Pain in your lower abdomen/tummy
• Painful sex
• Genital sores or lumps
• Fever
• New joint pains
• New eye symptoms (soreness, discharge, redness)

Safety: taking other medicines

It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Doxycycline safely.

If you are use antacid/indigestion medications, or medications containing iron, zinc or bismuth, you must wait 4hrs between taking that medication and Doxycycline.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Doxycycline.

Alternative chlamydia treatments

If you are allergic to Doxycycline, you may be prescribed Azithromycin as an alternative treatment.

Getting tested for chlamydia

If you don't have symptoms, but would like to get tested for STIs like chlamydia, we offer a range of STI tests. We'll send your test kit by post, you can complete it at home and send it back to us using the prepaid packaging and postage provided. You'll usually get your results within 3 working days of the samples getting to the lab.

If you have symptoms, you should speak to your GP or visit your local sexual health clinic.