How Much Is Doxycycline Without Insurance?

Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx, others) is an FDA-approved, prescription-only medication that belongs to a class known as tetracyclines. It’s a broad-spectrum antibiotic. This means it can treat a variety of bacterial infections, including chlamydia; respiratory tract infections; and acne caused by bacteria. It can also help prevent malaria.

Doxycycline is a generic medication that comes in two versions: doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate. The actual cost of doxycycline depends on factors such as your pharmacy, the dosage, and the form of the medication prescribed. Many health insurance plans will cover it, but if you’re paying out of pocket, GoodRx coupons can help you save money.

How much does doxycycline cost?

Without insurance, 14 capsules of 100 mg doxycycline hyclate cost around $39.15. You’d pay about $26.40 for the equivalent dose and quantity of doxycycline monohydrate.

Doxycycline is available in tablet, capsule, and oral suspension forms, with doses ranging from 20 mg to 150 mg. Additionally, it could be administered into a vein through an IV infusion in a hospital setting. The recommended dosage for adults can vary based on age and the severity of the condition being treated. For children, body weight is also a factor.

Here’s a table that details the average retail prices for various forms and dosages of both versions of doxycycline at some pharmacies:

What factors affect the cost of doxycycline?

The cost of your doxycycline prescription will depend on several factors, which include the following:

• Location: The price of doxycycline can vary significantly based on where you live. For instance, GoodRx data shows that someone in Houston may pay less for their prescription than someone in New York.

• Generic vs. brand name: Generic medications like doxycycline hyclate and doxycycline monohydrate are more affordable than brand-name options like Oracea or Doryx. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are equally effective, but they are sold at a lower cost.

• Insurance: Even if your insurance plan covers doxycycline, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.

• Pharmacy: The cost of doxycycline can also vary between pharmacies, even those located in the same area.

• Dosage and form: The dosage and formulation of your doxycycline prescription can also influence the final price you’ll pay. For example, the tablets and capsules are more affordable than the liquid suspension.

• Savings cards and discounts: Manufacturer savings cards or GoodRx coupons can lower your out-of-pocket costs at participating pharmacies for both brand-name and generic doxycycline.

Promotion disclosure

Doxycycline Hyclate

Avg retail price

$54.69(Save 81.13%)

GoodRx discount

$10.32

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Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Does insurance cover doxycycline?

Most health insurance plans, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and commercial plans, cover doxycycline. But some Medicaid plans may require prior authorization or step therapy, depending on which version of doxycycline is prescribed. Medicare plans typically have no additional coverage restrictions.

To understand your coverage details and out-of-pocket costs, start by checking your plan’s formulary to see if it includes either version of doxycycline. You can also contact your health plan representative to inquire about extra steps necessary to obtain coverage.

How different insurance plans cover doxycycline

The table below outlines the chances of coverage for doxycycline, along with any prior authorization or step therapy requirements, across various insurance plans.

Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 13, 2024. (See methodology below.)

If doxycycline is not covered by your insurance, you can take the following steps:

• Talk to your prescriber about switching from one version of doxycycline to another or moving to another formulation, such as liquid suspension to capsules.

• Ask your prescriber whether doxycycline hyclate is a suitable choice, since it is typically more affordable.

• Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. If the request is denied, consider filing an appeal for coverage.

• Explore changing your insurance plan during the open enrollment period.

• Consider switching to a doxycycline alternative. Your medical history, condition, and severity of symptoms will determine your medication options.

Ways to save on doxycycline

Here are four ways you can save on doxycycline, regardless of whether you have insurance.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Need ways to save on your prescription? Here are some options that could help make your medication more affordable.

• Got a flexible spending account (FSA)? You can use your FSA dollars to cover the cost of doxycycline and other healthcare expenses before your funds expire.

• Does doxycycline interact with other medications? Here are substances you should avoid and the interactions they cause.

• Doxycycline side effects: From nausea and headaches to sun sensitivity, here are some doxycycline side effects to watch for and how to manage them.

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

With a free GoodRx coupon, you could significantly reduce the cost of your doxycycline prescription. Many pharmacies accept GoodRx coupons, and you can use the website or mobile app’s price comparison tool to find the best prices in your area.

The table below shows what you might pay for different doses and forms of versions of doxycycline with a GoodRx coupon.

To get your free GoodRx coupon:

• Visit www.goodrx.com, or download the GoodRx app on your phone.

• Search for “doxycycline,” and select the generic version that matches your prescription.

• Enter your prescribed dosage and quantity.

• Click “Find the lowest prices,” or press enter.

• Choose to receive your coupon via text or email, or print it out.

• Present the coupon at your pharmacy when dropping off your prescription to ensure a smooth process.

2. Get a copay savings card

If you don’t have insurance or have limited coverage, you might qualify for Oracea’s savings card or Doryx MPC and pay as little as $0 for the brand-name prescription. The Targadox savings card also helps eligible individuals pay as little as $7 for a Targadox (doxycycline hyclate) 50 mg prescription.

To qualify, you must:

• Be age 18 or older

• Have commercial insurance (Medicaid and Medicare Part D, and other federal and state insurance, are not eligible)

• Have a valid prescription from a U.S. prescriber

3. Try a lowest-cost alternative

You could switch to a more affordable version of doxycycline, such as moving from doxycycline monohydrate to doxycycline hyclate. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional about your options. Another option is exploring a different medication entirely.

4. Use a tax-advantaged health account

You can reduce your doxycycline costs by using tax-free funds from a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). You can pay directly with your HSA or FSA at the pharmacy or submit receipts for reimbursement. Keep in mind that FSA funds expire if not used by the deadline, unlike HSA funds.

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Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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Methodology

We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of January 2025.

We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.

We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.

Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.

These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).