doxycycline
Pharmaranks rates Doxycycline 3.2/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Doxycycline is a tetracycline-class drug used to treat Anthrax, Campylobacter Infections, Cholera, Granuloma Inguinale.
Tetracycline-Class Drug · by Lupin
Generic of Monodox
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Doxycycline
- Drug class
- Tetracycline-Class Drug
- Form
- Capsule, Injectable
- Strength
- Doxycycline EQ 25MG BASE/5ML
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Generic
- May treat
- anthrax, campylobacter infections, cholera
- Manufacturer
- Lupin
- Half-life
- about 16 to 22 hours in healthy adults (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.12 per ml — not your price
- FDA application
- ANDA201678
What is Doxycycline?
From the FDA label:Doxycycline is an antibacterial drug synthetically derived from oxytetracycline, and is available as doxycycline for oral suspension USP (doxycycline monohydrate) for oral administration. The structural formula of doxycycline monohydrate is with a molecular formula of C 22 H 24 N 2 O 8 •H 2 O and a molecular weight of 462.46. The chemical designation for doxycycline is 4-(Dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxo-2-naphthacenecarboxamide monohydrate. Doxycycline is a light-yellow crystalline powder. Doxycycline monohydrate is very slightly soluble in water. Doxycycline has a high degree of lipoid solubility and a low affinity for calcium binding. It is highly stable in normal human serum. Doxycycline will not degrade into an epianhydro form. Inert ingredients for the oral suspension formulation are: carboxymethylcellulose sodium, FD & C Blue No. 1, methylparaben, microcrystalline cellulose, propylparaben, raspberry flavor, D & C Red 28 and sucrose. image 1
How to use
Doxycycline is sold in more than one form (Capsule and Injectable), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application ANDA201678 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually prescribed.
The usual dosage and frequency of administration of doxycycline differs from that of the other tetracyclines. Exceeding the recommended dosage may result in an increased incidence of side effects. Adults The usual dose of oral doxycycline is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg/day. In the management of more severe infections (particularly chronic infections of the urinary tract), 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended. Pediatric Patients For all pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg with severe or life-threatening infections (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), the recommended dosage is 2.2 mg/kg of body weight administered every 12 hours. Children weighing 45 kg or more should receive the adult dose. (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS .) For pediatric patients with less severe disease (greater than 8 years of age and weighing less than 45 kg), the recommended dosage schedule is 4.4 mg/kg of body weight divided into two doses on the first day of treatment, followed by a maintenance dose of 2.2 mg/kg of body weight (given as a single daily dose or divided into twice daily doses). For pediatric patients weighing over 45 kg, the usual adult dose should be used. The therapeutic antibacterial serum activity will usually persist for 24 hours following recommended dosage. When used in…
Side effects
Due to oral doxycycline's virtually complete absorption, side effects of the lower bowel, particularly diarrhea, have been infrequent. The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines: Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions (with monilial overgrowth) in the anogenital region, and pancreatitis. Hepatotoxicity has been reported rarely. These reactions have been caused by both the oral and parenteral administration of tetracyclines. Superficial discoloration of the adult permanent dentition, reversible upon drug discontinuation and professional dental cleaning has been reported. Permanent tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia may occur with drugs of the tetracycline class when used during tooth development. (See WARNINGS .) Rare instances of esophagitis and esophageal ulcerations have been reported in patients receiving capsule and tablet forms of the drugs in the tetracycline class. Most of these patients took medications immediately before going to bed. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION .) Skin: toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, fixed drug eruption, skin hyperpigmentation, maculopapular and erythematous rashes. Exfoliative dermatitis has been reported but is uncommon. Photosensitivity is discussed above. (See WARNINGS .)…
Warnings
Important safety information
The use of drugs of the tetracycline class 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). This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drugs, but it has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Use doxycycline in pediatric patients 8 years of age or less only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the risks in severe or life-threatening conditions (e.g., anthrax, Rocky Mountain spotted fever), particularly when there are no alternative therapies. Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including doxycycline, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following the use of antibacterial drugs. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing use of antibacterial drugs not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated. Severe skin reactions, such as exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in patients receiving doxycycline. Fixed drug eruptions have occurred with doxycycline and have been associated with worsening severity upon subsequent administrations, including generalized bullous fixed drug eruptions ( See ADVERSE REACTIONS .) If severe skin reactions occur, discontinue doxycycline for oral suspension immediately and institute appropriate therapy. Intracranial hypertension (IH, pseudotumor cerebri) has been associated with the use of tetracyclines including doxycycline. Clinical manifestations of IH include headache, blurred vision, diplopia, and vision loss; papilledema can be found on fundoscopy. Women of childbearing age who are overweight or have a history of IH are at greater risk for developing tetracycline associated IH. Concomitant use of isotretinoin and doxycycline should be avoided because isotretinoin is also known to cause pseudotumor cerebri. Although IH typically resolves after discontinuation of treatment, the possibility for permanent visual loss exists. If visual disturbance occurs during treatment, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is warranted. Since intracranial pressure can remain elevated for weeks after drug cessation patients should be monitored until they stabilize. All tetracyclines form a stable calcium complex in any bone-forming tissue. A decrease in fibula growth rate has been observed in prematures given oral tetracycline in doses of 25 mg/kg every 6 hours. This reaction was shown to be reversible when the drug was discontinued. Results of animal studies indicate that tetracyclines cross the placenta, are found in fetal tissues, and can have toxic effects on the developing fetus (often related to retardation of skeletal development). Evidence of embryotoxicity has also been noted in animals treated early in pregnancy. If any tetracycline is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. The antianabolic action of the tetracyclines may cause an increase in BUN. Studies to date indicate that this does not occur with the use of doxycycline in patients with impaired renal function. Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. Patients apt to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light should be advised that this reaction can occur with tetracycline drugs, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema.
Who should not take Doxycycline
This drug is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
In case of overdosage, discontinue medication, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures. Dialysis does not alter serum half-life and thus would not be of benefit in treating cases of overdosage.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron-containing preparations. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by bismuth subsalicylate. Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and rifampin shorten the half-life of doxycycline, thereby lowering doxycycline concentration in the body. The concurrent use of tetracycline and Penthrane ® (methoxyflurane) has been reported to result in fatal renal toxicity. Concurrent use of tetracycline may render oral contraceptives less effective.
Foods & drinks to be careful with
Well-established interactions for this medicine’s drug class, summarized from public health authorities. General information, not medical advice — always confirm with your pharmacist or the label.
Dairy, calcium, iron & antacids
Watch out for: milk and other dairy, calcium- or iron-fortified foods and supplements, and antacids.
Calcium, magnesium, and iron bind to these antibiotics in the gut and can stop them from being absorbed, making the medicine work less well.
What to do: Separate the antibiotic from dairy, supplements, and antacids by a couple of hours — take it at the interval the label or your pharmacist specifies.
Source: Tetracycline — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · Ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone) — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
How long does Doxycycline stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of doxycycline is about 16 to 22 hours in healthy adults — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the elimination half-life of doxycycline itself; it has no active metabolite with a longer half-life, and the half-life stays about the same (18 to 22 hours) even with severe kidney impairment and is not shortened by hemodialysis.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: DOXYCYCLINE MONOHYDRATE capsule — DailyMed (Clinical Pharmacology / Pharmacokinetics).
Drug class
How this class works, per Tetracycline - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Doxycycline ranks — best-rated tetracycline-class drug for:
Dosage forms
Capsule and Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Doxycycline treat?
- Doxycycline (Doxycycline) may be used to treat anthrax, campylobacter infections, cholera, granuloma inguinale, mycoplasma infections, psittacosis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Doxycycline work?
- Doxycycline is a tetracycline-class drug. Tetracyclines slip inside bacteria and bind to the 30S part of their ribosome, the cell's protein-building machine. This blocks the bacteria from adding new amino acids, so they can't make the proteins they need to grow or multiply, letting the immune system clear the infection.
- How is Doxycycline rated?
- pharmaranks gives Doxycycline a composite score of 3.2 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Doxycycline cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.12 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Doxycycline?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Doxycycline. To pay less, Doxycycline is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Doxycycline?
- Doxycycline is marketed by Lupin. You can see Lupin's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Doxycycline a brand-name or generic drug?
- Doxycycline is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Doxycycline. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
- Is Doxycycline available over the counter?
- No. Doxycycline is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Doxycycline come in?
- Doxycycline is currently marketed as capsule and injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Doxycycline?
- Doxycycline is classified as tetracycline-class drug, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Doxycycline FDA-registered?
- Doxycycline is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA201678. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Doxycycline been recalled by the FDA?
- Doxycycline has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Doxycycline safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Doxycycline a recall-safety score of 64/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Doxycycline?
- Doxycycline's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Due to oral doxycycline's virtually complete absorption, side effects of the lower bowel, particularly diarrhea, have been infrequent. The following adverse reactions have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines: Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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doxycycline
64/100