Two medicines, side by side
Azithromycin vs doxycycline
Azithromycin and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azithromycin since 1991 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet and $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Highlights of the doxycycline record
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) · label of July 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline capsules and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 83 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.118 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azithromycin and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Half-life, in each label's words: Azithromycin, “Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic …”; Doxycycline, “1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum …”
Generics: azithromycin since 2005; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azithromycin | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … | 1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum Concentration 2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) Elimination Rate Constant 0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) Half-Life 16.33 hr (± … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 1, 1991 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 2005 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,712 | 69,571 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to azithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions