{"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":"2026-10-21T14:13:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T18:13:48","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 explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate are two generic prescription antibiotics<\/a> used to treat various bacterial infections. They are classified as tetracycline antibiotics<\/a>, but they’re also bacteriostatic drugs. Their mechanism of action, or how they work, is by preventing bacteria from growing and spreading. Although they both contain dowhich xycycline, they have different salt forms. And which form you receive is determined by what your healthcare provider prescribes, what your insurance covers, and what your pharmacy has in stock.<\/p>\n

What are the main differences between doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate?<\/h2>\n

The main difference between doxycycline monohydrate<\/a> and doxycycline hyclate<\/a> is in their salt form. Doxycycline hyclate is water-soluble<\/a>, while doxycycline monohydrate is only very slightly water-soluble. Both belong to the group of antibiotics called tetracyclines, which work by blocking protein synthesis, preventing bacterial growth. Therefore, these antibiotics are considered bacteriostatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 Compare doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate key differences<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Difference<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nTetracycline antibiotic<\/td>\nTetracycline antibiotic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nGeneric<\/td>\nGeneric<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/b><\/td>\nVaries; a common dose is 100 mg every 12 hours<\/td>\nVaries; a common dose is 100 mg every 12 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ages approved for<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 8 years and older (tooth discoloration risk in younger children)<\/td>\nAdults and children 8 years and older (tooth discoloration risk in younger children)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

Doxycycline monohydrate or doxycycline hyclate can be used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections or urinary tract infections 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 syphilis or listeriosis. Sometimes, doctors prescribe doxycycline off-label<\/a> (an indication that is not FDA-approved) for other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 Compare doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate conditions treated<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Anthrax<\/b> due to <\/b>Bacillus anthracis<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chancroid caused by <\/b>Haemophilus ducreyi<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cholera caused by <\/b>Vibrio cholerae<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nongonococcal urethritis caused by <\/b>Ureaplasma urealyticum<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plague due to <\/b>Yersinia pestis<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prevention of <\/b>malaria<\/b><\/a><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Q fever<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiratory tract infections<\/b> caused by certain bacteria, such as <\/b>Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, and Streptococcus pneumoniae<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rocky Mountain<\/b> spotted fever<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe <\/b>acne<\/b><\/a> (in combination with other medication)<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typhus fever<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections in adults caused by <\/b>Chlamydia<\/i><\/b> trachomatis<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urinary tract infections<\/b><\/a> caused by <\/b>Klebsiella species<\/i><\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is doxycycline monohydrate better than doxycycline hyclate?<\/h2>\n

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

There may be some cases where one formulation is preferred over the other. Experts say that the hyclate form is more acidic<\/a> than the monohydrate form, which is why it is more likely to cause stomach upset. Doxycycline monohydrate is less acidic and is associated with fewer stomach problems.<\/p>\n

Your healthcare provider can determine the appropriate drug for you based on your symptoms and medical history.<\/p>\n

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

Why did my pharmacy switch me from one form to the other?<\/h2>\n

Pharmacies and insurers may treat doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate as interchangeable. Even though they contain the same active ingredient, doxycycline, some insurers may prefer one over the other due to cost. Pharmacies may also stock one or both forms.<\/p>\n

If you previously took doxycycline monohydrate and you recently got doxycycline hyclate (or vice versa), it could be for various reasons<\/a>. For example, your healthcare provider may have selected a different item while sending an electronic prescription, your insurer may have rejected one but covered the other, or the pharmacy may have had one in stock but not the other.<\/p>\n

Most times, it\u2019s fine to switch from one form to the other, and you will not notice any differences in how you feel. If you switch and you have more or different side effects, tell your healthcare provider. If you have taken one form successfully, and you need to take it again, you can ask your healthcare provider to prescribe the same one as the previous time. Always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.<\/p>\n

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

Doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate are generally covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans, although some plans may prefer a less expensive formulation of doxycycline.<\/p>\n

A typical prescription of doxycycline monohydrate would cost about $18<\/span> if you paid out of pocket, but a free SingleCare coupon<\/a> can bring the price down to as low as $10<\/span>.<\/p>\n

A typical prescription of doxycycline hyclate would cost about $40<\/span> if you paid out of pocket, but using a free SingleCare coupon<\/a> can lower the price to as low as $11<\/span>.<\/p>\n

As prices and plans can change, contact your insurance provider for up-to-date coverage information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 Compare doxycycline monohydrate vs. hyclate cost & coverage<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Cost\/Coverage<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline monohydrate<\/b><\/td>\nDoxycycline hyclate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nUsually<\/td>\nUsually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nUsually<\/td>\nUsually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n14, 100 mg capsules<\/td>\n14, 100 mg capsules<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retail price without insurance<\/b><\/td>\n$18<\/span><\/td>\n$40<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare price<\/b><\/td>\n$10 at Walmart<\/span><\/td>\n$11 at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

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