Doxycycline and adapalene gel combination

Doxycycline and adapalene gel is a combination treatment for those aged 12 and over with moderate to severe acne. Please note we only prescribe to adults over 18 years old.

You shouldn't take doxycycline or use adapalene gel while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before you start this treatment.

You’ll need a prescription to buy doxycycline and adapalene gel, if you’re using an online service.

One of our clinicians can prescribe these medications after an online consultation where we make sure they’re right for you. It only takes a few minutes.

Doxycycline

Taking doxycycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunburn than normal, so you should avoid strong sunlight or UV light, for example from sun beds.

Tell your clinician before taking doxycycline if you have diarrhoea or usually get it when you take antibiotics, or have ever had stomach or intestine problems.

If you develop severe or prolonged or bloody diarrhoea during or after using doxycycline, tell your clinician immediately as you may need to pause the treatment.

You should also make sure your clinician knows if:

• You have kidney or liver problems.
• You have myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes unusual tiredness and weakness of certain muscles, particularly in the eyelid).
• You have porphyria (a rare disease of blood pigments).
• You have, or have ever had, systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever).
• You’re taking oral retinoids.  

Adapalene gel

• Don’t use on cut or grazed areas of skin
• Don’t use if you have eczema
• Avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, nostrils, or other sensitive areas of the body.
• If you experience sensitivity or irritation, stop using and tell your clinician (they may recommend applying less often or to pause until the symptoms go away).
• Avoid artificial UV light like sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight while using this gel.

If you’re unsure about any of the above, please speak to your clinician.

So our clinicians can prescribe an effective and safe acne treatment, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly. This includes any medications for other skin conditions like eczema.

Doxycycline can make other medications less effective, from certain contraceptive pills to indigestion remedies. While using adapalene gel, you should also avoid medications that contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene. They may increase skin irritation and dryness. If you’re using any other topical treatments, apply those in the morning and adapalene at night.

Our clinicians can prescribe a range of acne treatments including other gels and creams, different oral antibiotics and tailored combinations of these. If you’re a woman with hormonal acne, the most effective treatment could include the contraceptive pill co-cyprindiol (widely known as Dianette or Clairette).