Two medicines, side by side
Doxycycline vs tetracycline
Doxycycline and tetracycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxycycline since 1967 and of tetracycline since 1953. Pharmacies paid $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet and $0.247 per tetracycline 250 mg capsule (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, doxycycline is a tetracycline-class drug and tetracycline a tetracycline-class antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025); the tetracycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 18, 2025).
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
Highlights of the tetracycline record
Tetracycline (Achromycin) · label of March 18, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tetracycline hydrochloride and other antibacterial drugs, tetracycline hydrochloride should be used only to treat 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
- November 19, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.247 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025, Tetracycline label of March 18, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxycycline and tetracycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, doxycycline is a tetracycline-class drug and tetracycline a tetracycline-class antimicrobial.
Generics: doxycycline since 1973; tetracycline since 1954 (Drugs@FDA).
| Doxycycline | Tetracycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Tetracycline-class Drug | Tetracycline-class Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | 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 (± … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 5, 1967 | November 19, 1953 |
| First generic approved | June 18, 1973 | September 17, 1954 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 83 labelers | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) | $0.247 per capsule (Tetracycline 250 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -65% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 69,571 | 767 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Doxycycline label, warningsWARNINGS The use of drugs of the tetracycline class, including doxycycline, during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-gray-brown).
Doxycycline label, warnings and precautionsA decrease in fibula growth rate has been observed in premature infants given oral tetracycline in doses of 25 mg/kg every 6 hours.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to doxycycline
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions