Two medicines, side by side
Ceftriaxone vs doxycycline
Ceftriaxone and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ceftriaxone since 1984 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per ceftriaxone 1 g vial 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. Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the ceftriaxone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
Highlights of the ceftriaxone record
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBefore instituting treatment with Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
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 (Ceftriaxone label of February 4, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ceftriaxone and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Half-life, in each label's words: Ceftriaxone, “Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time …”; 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: ceftriaxone since 1987; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ceftriaxone | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time intervals, a half-life of 25 hours was calculated. | 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) | December 21, 1984 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 1987 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per vial (Ceftriaxone 1 g vial) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 38,242 | 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 ceftriaxone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions