Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Doxycycline: Common Acne Treatment Linked To A Notable Drop In Schizophrenia Risk

Doxycycline schizophrenia

An antibiotic routinely used for acne has been linked to a lower likelihood of developing schizophrenia. A new investigation from the University of Edinburgh found that adolescents receiving mental health care who were given <span>doxycycline</span> had a reduced chance of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as adults, compared with those who were prescribed other antibiotics.

Although these early findings cannot confirm that doxycycline prevents schizophrenia, the researchers suggest that its influence on immune activity, inflammation, and programmed cell death may help protect the brain from changes associated with the disorder. “Because this research relies on observational records, it cannot prove that doxycycline directly lowers the risk of schizophrenia, so more studies are needed,” the authors explain.

 “Even so, the results raise the possibility that doxycycline could play a role in lowering schizophrenia risk among young psychiatric patients and open new avenues for prevention-focused mental health research.”

<h2><span rel="noindex">What Is Schizophrenia</span>?</h2>

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects about 23 million people worldwide, with most cases identified during late adolescence or early adulthood. The illness can appear suddenly and may bring on psychosis. Typical symptoms include ongoing delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, restlessness, or withdrawal from others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two out of three people experiencing psychosis lack access to specialized mental health services.

Doxycycline is a broad-acting antibiotic commonly given to teenagers for acne. Some recent research suggests it may also offer certain protective effects for the brain, as it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In 2024, Science Alert reported on a Danish study showing that this brain-penetrating antibiotic was associated with a lower likelihood of schizophrenia patients later receiving disability benefits, hinting at how the illness might affect their daily functioning.

To explore this further, child and adolescent psychiatrist Ian Kelleher from the University of Edinburgh led a large international team in reviewing data from more than 56,000 people born in Finland between 1987 and 1997. All had used mental health services in their youth and had been prescribed antibiotics during that time.

The analysis showed that those given doxycycline had a 30 to 35 percent lower chance of developing schizophrenia over the following decade, compared with individuals who had taken other antibiotics. The risk dropped from 2.1 percent in the non-doxycycline group to 1.4 percent in those who used doxycycline.

<h2>Doxycycline Linked To A Drop in Schizophrenia Risk</h2>

The research team found that taking doxycycline was linked to a 30 to 35 percent reduction in schizophrenia diagnoses over ten years. One theory is that doxycycline may clear an infectious agent that contributes to schizophrenia. Another possibility is that it directly affects inflammation and nerve pathways inside the brain.

Other antibiotics offer hints as well. A 2019 study using stem cells from people with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers showed that minocycline can reduce excessive loss of synapses, a process thought to play a part in schizophrenia. Since both minocycline and doxycycline belong to the tetracycline family, they may share similar properties. Using Finland’s health records, Kelleher’s team noted that nearly half of all psychotic disorders in the population occurred in individuals who had visited adolescent psychiatric services.

The researchers believe this stage of life may offer a valuable period for early intervention, where medications like doxycycline might help reduce the chance of the illness progressing. “Nearly half of the people who develop schizophrenia had earlier contact with child and adolescent mental health services for other issues,” Kelleher says.

“At the moment, we do not have any proven ways to lower the risk of schizophrenia in these young people, which makes these findings encouraging.”

<h2>Does Doxycycline Have Side Effects?</h2>

Doxycycline is available in two forms, doxycycline monohydrate and <span>doxycycline hyclate</span>, though both tend to cause similar reactions. This list does not include every possible side effect, so consult your medical provider if you are unsure about anything you notice while taking the medication.

<strong>Mild <span rel="noindex">doxycycline side effects</span> include:</strong>

<ul><li>Nausea or vomiting</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Sensitivity to sunlight</li><li>Sore throat or difficulty swallowing</li><li>Vaginal yeast infection</li><li>Itchy skin and rash (urticaria)</li></ul>

<strong>Rare but serious doxycycline side effects include:</strong>

<ul><li>Ulcers in the esophagus</li><li>Severe skin reactions</li><li>Liver problems</li><li>Tooth discoloration in children</li><li>Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea</li><li>Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure around the brain)</li><li>Low blood cell counts</li></ul>

Always speak with your healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication.

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An antibiotic routinely used for acne has been linked to a lower likelihood of developing schizophrenia. A new investigation from the University of Edinburgh found that adolescents receiving mental health care who were given doxycycline had a reduced chance of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as adults, compared with those who were prescribed other antibiotics.Although these early findings cannot confirm that doxycycline prevents schizophrenia, the researchers suggest that its influence on immune activity, inflammation, and programmed cell death may help protect the brain from changes associated with the disorder. “Because this research relies on observational records, it cannot prove that doxycycline directly lowers the risk of schizophrenia, so more studies are needed,” the authors explain. “Even so, the results raise the possibility that doxycycline could play a role in lowering schizophrenia risk among young psychiatric patients and open new avenues for prevention-focused mental health research.”What Is Schizophrenia?Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects about 23 million people worldwide, with most cases identified during late adolescence or early adulthood. The illness can appear suddenly and may bring on psychosis. Typical symptoms include ongoing delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, restlessness, or withdrawal from others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two out of three people experiencing psychosis lack access to specialized mental health services.What Is Doxycycline?Doxycycline is a broad-acting antibiotic commonly given to teenagers for acne. Some recent research suggests it may also offer certain protective effects for the brain, as it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In 2024, Science Alert reported on a Danish study showing that this brain-penetrating antibiotic was associated with a lower likelihood of schizophrenia patients later receiving disability benefits, hinting at how the illness might affect their daily functioning.To explore this further, child and adolescent psychiatrist Ian Kelleher from the University of Edinburgh led a large international team in reviewing data from more than 56,000 people born in Finland between 1987 and 1997. All had used mental health services in their youth and had been prescribed antibiotics during that time.The analysis showed that those given doxycycline had a 30 to 35 percent lower chance of developing schizophrenia over the following decade, compared with individuals who had taken other antibiotics. The risk dropped from 2.1 percent in the non-doxycycline group to 1.4 percent in those who used doxycycline.Doxycycline Linked To A Drop in Schizophrenia RiskThe research team found that taking doxycycline was linked to a 30 to 35 percent reduction in schizophrenia diagnoses over ten years. One theory is that doxycycline may clear an infectious agent that contributes to schizophrenia. Another possibility is that it directly affects inflammation and nerve pathways inside the brain.Other antibiotics offer hints as well. A 2019 study using stem cells from people with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers showed that minocycline can reduce excessive loss of synapses, a process thought to play a part in schizophrenia. Since both minocycline and doxycycline belong to the tetracycline family, they may share similar properties. Using Finland’s health records, Kelleher’s team noted that nearly half of all psychotic disorders in the population occurred in individuals who had visited adolescent psychiatric services.The researchers believe this stage of life may offer a valuable period for early intervention, where medications like doxycycline might help reduce the chance of the illness progressing. “Nearly half of the people who develop schizophrenia had earlier contact with child and adolescent mental health services for other issues,” Kelleher says.“At the moment, we do not have any proven ways to lower the risk of schizophrenia in these young people, which makes these findings encouraging.”Does Doxycycline Have Side Effects?Doxycycline is available in two forms, doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate, though both tend to cause similar reactions. This list does not include every possible side effect, so consult your medical provider if you are unsure about anything you notice while taking the medication.Mild doxycycline side effects include:Nausea or vomitingDiarrheaSensitivity to sunlightSore throat or difficulty swallowingVaginal yeast infectionItchy skin and rash (urticaria)Rare but serious doxycycline side effects include:Ulcers in the esophagusSevere skin reactionsLiver problemsTooth discoloration in childrenClostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrheaIntracranial hypertension (increased pressure around the brain)Low blood cell countsAlways speak with your healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication.