Doxycycline (DXC)

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic which is commonly used to treat a variety of infections. It is used in prophylaxis against malaria. It should not be used alone for initial treatment of malaria, even when the parasite is doxycycline-sensitive, because the antimalarial effect of doxycycline is delayed. This delay is related to its mechanism of action, which is to specifically impair the progeny of the apicoplast genes, resulting in their abnormal cell division. It can be used in a treatment plan in combination with other agents, such as quinine.

It is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of anthrax (caused by Bacillus anthracis) and Leptospirosis. It is also effective against Yersinia pestis (the infectious agent of bubonic plague), and is prescribed for the treatment of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.