Two medicines, side by side
Nitrofurantoin vs doxycycline
Nitrofurantoin and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nitrofurantoin since 1953 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule 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, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
Highlights of the nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
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 (Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nitrofurantoin and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Generics: nitrofurantoin since 1970; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nitrofurantoin | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Nitrofuran Antibacterial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. | 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) | February 6, 1953 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 1970 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 22,755 | 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 nitrofurantoin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions