Two medicines, side by side
Linezolid vs doxycycline
Linezolid and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of linezolid since 2000 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per linezolid 600 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. Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
Highlights of the linezolid record
Linezolid (Zyvox) · label of June 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLinezolid injection is an oxazolidinone-class antibacterial indicated in adults and children for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria: Nosocomial pneumonia ( 1.1 ); Community-acquired pneumonia ( 1.2 ); Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections, without concomitant osteomyelitis ( 1.3 ); […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 18, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
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 (Linezolid label of June 19, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do linezolid and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Generics: linezolid since 2012; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Linezolid | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | 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) | April 18, 2000 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | June 27, 2012 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 29,594 | 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 linezolid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions