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Vibramycin (doxycycline)
Doxycycline is the most versatile tetracycline antibiotic, approved in 1967. Used across infectious diseases, dermatology, and tropical medicine. Available generically at very low cost worldwide.
At a glance
| Generic name | doxycycline |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Vibramycin, Doryx, Oracea, Monodox |
| Sponsor | Generic (originally Pfizer) |
| Drug class | Tetracycline antibiotic |
| Target | 72 kDa type IV collagenase, Stromelysin-1, Collagenase 3 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1967-01-01 (United States) |
Approved indications
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Typhus fever and the typhus group
- Q fever
- Rickettsialpox
- Tick fevers caused by Rickettsiae
- Respiratory tract infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Lymphogranuloma venereum
- Psittacosis (ornithosis)
- Trachoma
- Inclusion conjunctivitis
- Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections in adults
- Nongonococcal urethritis
- Relapsing fever
- Chancroid
- Plague
- Tularemia
- Cholera
- Campylobacter fetus infections
- Brucellosis
- Bartonellosis
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Maculopapular rashes
- Erythematous rashes
- Photosensitivity
- Glossitis
- Dysphagia
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Fixed drug eruption
- Superficial tooth discoloration
Serious adverse events
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Anaphylaxis
- Intracranial hypertension
- Hemolytic anemia
- Hepatotoxicity
- Esophageal ulcerations
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Erythema multiforme
Key clinical trials
- Risk of Acute Liver Injury in Users of Antimicrobials in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database Population (N/A)
- Ivermectin and Doxycycline in Combination or Ivermectin Alone for the Treatment of Adult Bangladeshi Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. (Phase 2)
- Randomized Controlled Trial of Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Intranasal Mupirocin, Rifampin and Doxycycline Versus Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Intranasal Mupirocin Alone for the Eradication of Methicillin- (NA)
- Impact of Patient's Pretreatment Expectations on Treatment Outcome of Early Lyme Borreliosis (NA)
- A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Active and Placebo Controlled Study to Assess the Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability of Oral DFD-29 Extended Release Capsules for the Treatment (Phase 3)
- Comparative Controlled Trial of Treatment of Minor Unexpected Uterine Cavity Abnormalities Diagnosed by Office Hysteroscopy Screening in Women Indicated for IVF (Phase 2)
- Efficacy of Doxycycline in the Treatment of Early Stages of Mycosis Fungoides: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Phase 3)
- Randomized, 2-way Crossover, Comparative Bioequivalence Study of Par Pharmaceutical Inc. (USA) and Oclassen Pharmaceuticals Inc. (USA) (Monodox(R)) Doxycycline Monohydrate Equivalent to 100 mg Doxycyc (Phase 1)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 7749532 | 2027-12-19 | Formulation |
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |