doxycycline

American  

[dok-see-sahy-kleen, -klin] / ˌdɒk siˈsaɪ klin, -klɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic analog of a broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline drug, C 22 H 24 N 2 O 8 , used against a wide range of susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

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doxycycline British  

/ ˌdɒksɪˈsaɪklɪn /

noun

1. a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat conditions caused by a wide range of bacteria, including anthrax

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Etymology

Origin of doxycycline

Contraction of deoxytetracycline

Example Sentences

Scientists found that adolescents receiving mental health care who were prescribed the antibiotic doxycycline were significantly less likely to develop schizophrenia later in life than those treated with other antibiotics.

From Science Daily • Nov. 6, 2025

One of the first things they did as husband and wife was to take doxycycline pills from their local health centre.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

To test those predictions, the researchers looked at data from about 50 patients who had been taking one of those three drugs when they were prescribed doxycycline.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

Here’s what to know about doxycycline, called DoxyPEP when taken after exposure, and how to use it.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023

The treatment is considered very effective at preventing chlamydia and syphilis, but may be less effective against gonorrhea; protection against gonorrhea may vary because some strains are resistant to doxycycline, Stewart said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023