Doxycycline is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to prevent and treat various infections.

Some forms of doxycycline are also prescribed to treat severe acne in certain situations. In smaller doses, it’s also used to treat bumps and lesions related to rosacea. (Rosacea is a skin condition that causes symptoms such as flushing, small bumps or pimples, and skin irritation.)

Drug details

Here are some details on doxycycline:

  • Drug class: tetracycline antibiotic
  • Drug forms:
    • oral capsule
    • oral liquid suspension
    • immediate-release (IR)* oral tablet
    • extended-release (ER)† oral tablet
    • solution for intravenous (IV) injection
  • Brand-name versions:
    • Acticlate (IR oral tablet)
    • Doryx (ER oral tablet)
    • Doryx MPC (ER oral tablet)
    • Doxy 100/200 (solution for injection)
    • Oracea (oral capsule)
    • Vibramycin (oral capsule, oral liquid suspension)

Read on to learn about doxycycline and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

* Immediate release (IR) means the drug is released into the body all at once.
† Extended release (ER) means the drug is released slowly into the body, over time.

As with all medications, the cost of doxycycline can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of doxycycline will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug prices and doxycycline.

Does the price of doxycycline vary depending on which form or strength I use?

Yes, the price of doxycycline could vary depending on the form or strength you use.

Doxycycline is available in the following forms and strengths:

  • oral capsule: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg
  • oral capsule: 40 mg
  • oral liquid suspension: 25 mg per 5 milliliters of solution
  • IR oral tablet: 20 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg
  • ER oral tablet: 50 mg, 75 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
  • solution for intravenous (IV) injection: 100 mg, 200 mg

Talk with your pharmacist if you have more questions about the cost you might pay for doxycycline. They may be able to help answer questions about doxycycline and price, including the cost per pill.

Does the price of doxycycline differ with and without insurance?

Yes, doxycycline’s price is likely to vary depending on whether you have insurance or not. It’s likely that the drug might cost more if you don’t have insurance.

Talk with your doctor, or ask your pharmacist, if you have questions about the cost of doxycycline without insurance.

Doxycycline is available as the following brand-name medications:

  • Acticlate (immediate-release oral tablet)
  • Doryx (extended-release [ER] oral tablet)
  • Doryx MPC (ER oral tablet)
  • Doxy 100/200 (solution for injection)
  • Oracea (oral capsule)
  • Vibramycin (oral capsule, oral liquid suspension)

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of brand-name versions of doxycycline compare to the cost of doxycycline, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed doxycycline and you’re interested in using a brand-name form instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

Below are some suggestions that may help reduce long-term drug costs of taking doxycycline.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of doxycycline. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Doxycycline may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for doxycycline, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds.

These sites can provide details on drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and doxycycline, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and doxycycline. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for doxycycline.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.