{"id":4126,"date":"2019-05-22T13:27:09","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T17:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4126"},"modified":"2025-11-21T10:36:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T15:36:51","slug":"doxycycline-monohydrate-vs-hyclate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/doxycycline-monohydrate-vs-hyclate\/","title":{"rendered":"Doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drug overview & main differences<\/a> | Conditions treated<\/a> | Efficacy<\/a> | Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/a> | Side effects<\/a> | Drug interactions<\/a> | Warnings<\/a> | FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n

Doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> are two generic prescription <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a> used to treat various <\/span>bacterial infections<\/span>. They are classified into a group of medications called <\/span>tetracycline antibiotics<\/span><\/a>. Both drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA<\/span>). They are known as <\/span>bacteriostatic<\/span> drugs\u2014their <\/span>mechanism of action<\/span><\/a>, or how they work, is by preventing bacteria from growing and spreading.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Both drugs contain the ingredient doxycycline but have a very slightly different chemical makeup in terms of <\/span>salt forms<\/span> of the drug. According to the <\/span>Pfizer<\/span> prescribing information<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> is <\/span>water-soluble<\/span>, while <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> is only very slightly <\/span>water-soluble<\/span>. Continue reading to learn more about <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate<\/h2>\n

Doxycycline monohydrate<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span><\/a> both belong to the group of antibiotics called <\/span>tetracyclines<\/span>. They work by blocking protein synthesis, which prevents the growth of bacteria. Therefore, these antibiotics are considered <\/span>bacteriostatic<\/span>. The only <\/span>difference between<\/span> doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> is in their <\/span>salt form<\/span>. We\u2019ll discuss the similarities and differences here. They are both available in <\/span>brand name<\/span> and generic, with several <\/span>brand names<\/span> for each. Both are available in capsule and tablet form, and <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> is also available as an oral suspension. The dosage and length of treatment vary by indication. Both <\/span>forms of doxycycline<\/span> should not be used in children 8 years of age or younger, because it can cause tooth enamel and growth problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Main differences between doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nTetracycline antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\nTetracycline antibiotic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the <\/b>brand name<\/b>?<\/b><\/td>\nAdoxa<\/span>
\nAvidoxy<\/span>
\nMonodox<\/span>
\nOracea<\/span>
\nVibramycin<\/span> oral suspension<\/span><\/td>\n		Doryx<\/span>
\nActiclate<\/span>
\nMorgidox<\/span>
\nPeriostat<\/span>
\nTargadox<\/span>
\nVibramycin<\/span>
\nVibra-Tabs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nCapsules<\/span>
\nOral suspension<\/span>
\nTablets<\/span><\/td>\n		Capsules\u00a0<\/span>
\nTablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries by indication<\/span><\/td>\nVaries by indication<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries by indication<\/span><\/td>\nVaries by indication<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 9 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 9 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by doxycycline monohydrate and hyclate<\/h2>\n

Doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> or <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> can be used to treat a variety of <\/span>bacterial infections<\/span>, such as <\/span>respiratory tract infections<\/span> or <\/span>urinary tract infections<\/span> caused by certain bacteria. The table below lists examples of the infections that doxycycline (in either form) can treat. Additionally, doxycycline is sometimes used as an alternative drug when the preferred drug, penicillin, cannot be used in certain infections such as <\/span>gonorrhea<\/span>, <\/span>syphilis<\/span>, or listeriosis. Sometimes, doctors prescribe doxycycline <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> (an indication that is not <\/span>FDA<\/span>-approved) for other infections, such as <\/span>Lyme disease<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anthrax<\/span> due to <\/span>Bacillus anthracis<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chancroid caused by <\/span>Haemophilus ducreyi<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cholera caused by <\/span>Vibrio cholerae<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nongonococcal urethritis caused by <\/span>Ureaplasma urealyticum<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plague due to <\/span>Yersinia pestis<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prevention of <\/span>malaria<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Q fever<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiratory tract infections<\/span> caused by certain bacteria such as <\/span>Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rocky mountain<\/span> spotted fever<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe <\/span>acne<\/span><\/a> (in combination with other medication)<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typhus fever<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections in adults caused by <\/span>Chlamydia<\/span><\/i> trachomatis<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urinary tract infections<\/span><\/a> caused by <\/span>Klebsiella species<\/span><\/i><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is doxycycline monohydrate or hyclate more effective?<\/h2>\n

There are no studies comparing the effectiveness of <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span>. In most cases, either drug can be used to treat various <\/span>bacterial infections<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There may be some cases where one <\/span>formulation<\/span> is preferred over the other due to the indication. For example, <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> 20 mg is used for periodontitis (gum infection). Another example is <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> 40 mg, which is used for rosacea <\/span>inflammatory<\/span> lesions<\/span> and should not be interchanged with <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your <\/span>healthcare<\/span> provider can determine the appropriate drug based on your symptoms, culture information (if available), and medical history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember that antibiotics such as doxycycline only treat <\/span>bacterial infections<\/span>. They are not effective against viral infections such as the <\/span>common cold, flu<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>COVID-19<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate<\/h2>\n

Doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> and <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> are generally covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A typical prescription of <\/span>doxycycline monohydrate<\/span> would cost about $48 if you paid out of pocket, but a free <\/span>SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> can bring the price down to as low as $8.<\/span><\/p>\n

A typical prescription of <\/span>doxycycline hyclate<\/span> would cost about $95 if you paid out of pocket, but using a free <\/span>SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to as low as $8.<\/span><\/p>\n

As prices and plans can change, contact your insurance provider for up-to-date coverage information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nUsually<\/span><\/td>\nUsually<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nUsually<\/span><\/td>\nUsually<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n14, 100 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n14, 100 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$3<\/span><\/td>\n$8<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Nov. 21, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n

Common side effects of doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate<\/h2>\n

The most common <\/span>side effects<\/span> of doxycycline (both forms) include:<\/span><\/p>\n