Doxycycline for acne - are these likely side effects?

[Calathan]

I've been taking doxycycline for acne on my back for a few weeks (50 mg twice daily).  The doxycycline was prescribed for inflamed pimples on my back, which would be sore and red.  Each individual pimple would go away on its own but I would generally have a couple new ones every week.

I had been having acid reflux before I started taking the doxycycline, and it seems to be worse now.  Yesterday, I rolled over on my stomach while in bed and my esophagus was burned by acid.  I took over-the-counter Prilosec, and today I woke up with stomach pain, around the same time I got acid reflux the previous night.

I've also had small, itchy bumps on my left elbow.  The bumps are the normal skin color, and are much smaller than a pimple (or at least are much smaller than the pimples I had been getting on my back).  Today, I have some more of the itchy bumps, further down the arm in the direction of my hand (but still closer to the elbow).

My question is, would the increase in acid reflux and stomach pain be a likely side effect of the doxycycline.  I know doxycycline can cause acid reflux or stomach pain right after you take it, but could it cause it many hours later?  What about the itchy bumps on my arm?  I know doxycycline can make your skin sensitive to light, so might that be a skin reaction caused by it?

Also, even though my doctor said that it would take a couple months to see if the doxycycline got rid of the acne, I actually haven't had any inflamed pimples since I started taking it (as opposed to at least a couple new ones every week for a couple months before that).  If I stop taking it now without completing the course of treatment, will my acne probably return right away, or will it probably not return at least for some time now that it seems to be under control?  I would much rather have the acne than stomach pain and increased acid reflux, so is there any problem with stopping taking it part-way through the treatment if I think it might be causing these symptoms?

[jagesh50]

I got the point, but once an oesophagitis begins it takes time to settle.This may not happen every time you take the tablet.

[Calathan]

I don't think that really answers my question.  I'm talking about acid reflux that occurs maybe 10 hours after last taking the medicine.  I would have drunk water many times between taking the medicine and when the acid reflux occured (in addition to always drinking a large glass of water when I swallowed the pill).  Anyway, I've stopped taking the doxycycline, but am still considering starting again if it probably wasn't causing the problems I was having.

[jagesh50]

Oesophagitis sure does occur with doxy.First drink water before taking the capsule.The problem is more to the caps getting stuck at the lower oesohageal junction rather than actual direct irritation of stomach.Dont lie down immedietly after taking the capsule.Try and see if symptoms persist,do see your doc.