What are the alternative names (generic and brand) for doxycycline?

Alternative Names for Doxycycline

Doxycycline is available under the generic name "doxycycline" and as the salt form "doxycycline hyclate" (doxycycline hydrochloride hemiethanolate hemihydrate). 1

Generic Names

• Doxycycline (base compound)
• Doxycycline hyclate (most common salt formulation)
• Doxycycline monohydrate (alternative salt form)
• Doxycycline calcium (less common formulation)

Brand Names

The evidence specifically mentions:

• Vibramycin (doxycycline hyclate powder in tablets) 2
• Doryx (delayed-release doxycycline hyclate capsules) 2

Available Formulations

Doxycycline hyclate is available as:

• Capsules: 50 mg and 100 mg strengths 1
• Tablets: 100 mg strength 1

Clinical Context

The medication is described as a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic synthetically derived from oxytetracycline 1. It appears as a yellow crystalline powder that is water-soluble, with high lipid solubility and low calcium-binding affinity 1. Importantly, doxycycline is highly stable in normal human serum and does not degrade into an epianhydro form 1.

When prescribing, note that doxycycline hyclate formulations contain different inactive ingredients depending on whether they are capsules or tablets, which may affect tolerability in individual patients 1. The delayed-release formulation (Doryx) has been shown to have a more favorable gastrointestinal side effect profile compared to the standard powder formulation (Vibramycin) 2.