Suggest alternative to Doxycycline Hyclate for prostate enlargement
Patient: I'm a 63 year old male, non-smoker, non-drinker, exercising and healthy, with symptoms of benign prostate enlargement.  Yesterday, visited large practice in major city that specializes in urology for exam.  Exam did not consist of PSA, digital exam or blood work and physician prescribed doxycycline hyclate 100mg twice daily for 21 days and wishes to re-examine me in six weeks.  I am severely allergic to all penicillins and cephalosporins, thus the prescription above.  After examining the very serious and potentially fatal side effects of doxycycline hyclate, I am inclined to not take this medication.  Question 1.  What are the probabilities of serious side effects with this medication.?  Extremely low, moderate or high?  Question 2. Is there another antibiotic that could be prescribed with less serious potential side effects?  I understand that the physician is just trying to eliminate the possibility of a prostate infection prior to doing a PSA, etc., but, I'm really lacking enough information to decide if this prescription is worth the risk.  Thanks, Doctor: Hi,  Doxycycline is not used for BPH.  It might have been prescribed for prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate).  You can consult a urologist and start on drugs like Finasteride or Tamsulosin.  If medical management fails you might have to undergo surgical removal of the prostate.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Regards, Dr. Shinas Hussain,  General & Family Physician