Comprehensive medication guide to Lymepak including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic doxycycline hyclate on most commercial insurance plans (Tier 1 on virtually all formularies); no prior authorization typically required. Medicare Part D covers the generic with low cost-sharing.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$80 retail for 42 tablets of generic doxycycline hyclate 100 mg (a full 21-day course); as low as $8–$18 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at most retail pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Lymepak is the brand name for doxycycline hyclate 100 mg film-coated oral tablets. Manufactured by Chartwell RX, LLC, it received FDA approval in 2018 (NDA 209844) as the only brand-name drug specifically developed and packaged for the treatment of early Lyme disease. It belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics.
Lymepak is indicated for the treatment of early Lyme disease (as evidenced by erythema migrans — the characteristic bull's-eye rash) due to Borrelia burgdorferi in adults and pediatric patients 8 years of age and older who weigh at least 45 kg (99 lbs). The brand has since been discontinued by the manufacturer; however, generic doxycycline hyclate 100 mg is widely available as a bioequivalent substitute.
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete bacterium transmitted by the bite of infected Ixodid ticks. It is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the United States, with the highest incidence in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Upper Midwest, and Pacific Coast regions. Early treatment with doxycycline results in a 75–95% response rate at 6 months, compared to 56–66% in untreated patients.
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Lymepak (doxycycline hyclate) is a bacteriostatic antibiotic, meaning it stops bacteria from multiplying rather than directly killing them. It works by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, blocking the attachment of transfer RNA (tRNA) to the bacterial ribosome. This prevents the bacterium from synthesizing the proteins it needs to grow and reproduce.
Because doxycycline is bacteriostatic, your immune system plays an active role in clearing the infection. The drug halts bacterial multiplication, while your body's natural defenses clear the remaining bacteria. This mechanism also explains why doxycycline should not be combined with bactericidal penicillin-class antibiotics (which require actively growing bacteria to work) — the two mechanisms are antagonistic.
Doxycycline is highly lipid-soluble and virtually completely absorbed after oral administration, with excellent tissue penetration. Its 21-day treatment course is designed to maintain sufficient blood levels long enough for the immune system to fully clear Borrelia burgdorferi from the body.
100 mg — film-coated tablet
One tablet by mouth every 12 hours for 21 days (42 tablets per course). Take with food and a full glass of water. Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking.
The Lymepak brand has been permanently discontinued by Chartwell RX, LLC, which means you will not find the branded product at any retail pharmacy. However, the active ingredient — generic doxycycline hyclate 100 mg — is widely available from multiple manufacturers at most pharmacies nationwide. Generic doxycycline hyclate is not currently listed on the FDA Drug Shortages database.
When asking at a pharmacy, always request "doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablets" rather than "Lymepak" — pharmacists may say they don't carry Lymepak (because the brand is gone), while they almost certainly have the generic equivalent in stock. Major chains including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and most independent pharmacies regularly stock generic doxycycline hyclate.
If you're having difficulty locating your prescription, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to find which ones can fill your doxycycline prescription. Results are texted directly to you, saving you the time and frustration of calling around.
Because Lymepak (doxycycline hyclate) is not a controlled substance, there are no DEA scheduling restrictions on who can prescribe it. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for doxycycline hyclate for Lyme disease.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — most common prescriber for early Lyme disease
Infectious disease specialists — for complex, late-stage, or treatment-resistant Lyme disease
Pediatricians — for patients ≥8 years old and ≥45 kg
Internists
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — with full prescribing authority in most states
Physician assistants (PAs)
Urgent care providers — appropriate for classic early Lyme presentations
Telehealth providers can also prescribe doxycycline hyclate in most states. Telehealth is a convenient option for patients with classic early Lyme disease presentations (bull's-eye rash after tick exposure) who need to start treatment quickly without traveling to a clinic.
No. Lymepak (doxycycline hyclate) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only antibiotic, but it does not require any special DEA registration, prescribing restrictions, or pharmacy controls beyond a standard prescription.
This means Lymepak can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, internists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pediatricians, and telehealth providers. Prescriptions are valid at all licensed retail pharmacies and can be sent electronically, by phone, or in writing. There are no refill restrictions beyond standard antibiotic prescribing practices (typically one-time fills for acute infections).
Most patients tolerate Lymepak well. Common side effects include:
Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset (take with food to minimize)
Photosensitivity (increased sun sensitivity — wear SPF 30+ sunscreen throughout treatment)
Esophageal irritation (take with a full glass of water; remain upright 30 minutes after dose)
Diarrhea
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (occurs in up to 30% of early Lyme patients: fever, chills, muscle aches within the first 24–48 hours of treatment — this is not an allergic reaction and does not require stopping the antibiotic)
Severe or bloody diarrhea (C. difficile infection)
Severe skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS
Intracranial hypertension (severe headache with vision changes)
Blood disorders: hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
Hepatotoxicity (jaundice, dark urine, severe abdominal pain)
Permanent tooth discoloration in children under 8 years old (contraindicated in this age group)
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Amoxicillin
First-line oral alternative for Lyme disease; preferred for children under 8 and pregnant women. Requires three times daily dosing (vs. twice daily for doxycycline).
Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
Second oral alternative for early Lyme disease; taken twice daily with food. Suitable when doxycycline or amoxicillin are contraindicated.
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Intravenous (IV) antibiotic for neurologic Lyme disease, cardiac Lyme, or Lyme arthritis unresponsive to oral treatment. Not a substitute for oral doxycycline in early Lyme disease.
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Second-line oral antibiotic for Lyme disease; used only when first-line agents (doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime) are not tolerated or available. Generally considered less effective.
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Penicillin / Amoxicillin
majorDoxycycline (bacteriostatic) may antagonize the bactericidal action of penicillin-class antibiotics. Avoid co-administration.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
majorBoth isotretinoin and doxycycline can cause intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). The combination significantly increases this risk. Avoid concurrent use.
Warfarin / Anticoagulants
moderateDoxycycline depresses prothrombin activity, potentially increasing anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk. Monitor INR closely and adjust anticoagulant dosage as needed.
Antacids / Calcium / Dairy / Iron
moderateDivalent cations (Ca, Mg, Al, Fe) bind to doxycycline in the GI tract, reducing absorption by up to 50–80%. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.
Oral Contraceptives
moderateDoxycycline may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills. Use backup contraception during and for 1 week after treatment.
Barbiturates / Carbamazepine / Phenytoin
moderateThese liver enzyme inducers decrease the half-life of doxycycline, potentially reducing drug levels below therapeutic threshold.
Lymepak (doxycycline hyclate 100 mg) was a valuable brand-name antibiotic specifically developed for early Lyme disease treatment. Although the brand has been discontinued by Chartwell RX, LLC, the treatment it represents — a 21-day course of doxycycline hyclate 100 mg taken twice daily — remains the first-line standard of care for early Lyme disease in eligible patients.
The generic equivalent is widely available, considerably more affordable than the brand name was, and covered by virtually all insurance plans at Tier 1. Patients who were prescribed Lymepak should simply ask their pharmacist for generic doxycycline hyclate 100 mg — same drug, same dose, same 21-day course.
If you're having any trouble locating your prescription at a local pharmacy, medfinder can help. We contact pharmacies in your area to find which ones can fill your prescription and text you the results — making it easier to get your Lyme disease treatment started without delay.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Lymepak. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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