Doxycycline
VibramycinPubChem CID 54671203 · 3D model
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Latches onto bacteria's protein-building machinery, stopping them from growing and multiplying so the body's immune system can clear the infection.
How it works
Doxycycline attaches to a part of bacteria's internal machinery that builds proteins, cutting off the supply of new building blocks the bacteria need to grow. Without the ability to make new proteins, the bacteria can't multiply or repair themselves. It doesn't kill the bacteria outright — instead it stalls the infection so the body's own immune system can catch up and clear it out. This same trick works against a wide range of bacteria, including some unusual ones like the organisms behind Rocky Mountain spotted fever and chlamydia.
What it’s used for
Used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus; chlamydia and related infections; respiratory infections; anthrax exposure (including as a preventive after exposure); and as a backup treatment for gonorrhea and syphilis in people allergic to first-choice drugs. It's also commonly prescribed for severe acne and used by travelers as a preventive medication against malaria in certain regions.
- Mechanism
- Tetracycline, inhibits 30S ribosomal subunit
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antibiotic