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Mondoxyne NL vs. Zithromax

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Doxycycline monohydrate (Monodox, Oracea) and azithromycin (Zithromax) are both antibiotics, but they belong to different classes and treat infections differently. Doxycycline monohydrate is a tetracycline antibiotic that stops bacteria from making certain proteins, while azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that also prevents bacteria from making proteins but in a different way. Doxycycline monohydrate is used for a wide range of bacterial infections, including severe acne and rosacea, and must be taken twice daily for most infections. In contrast, azithromycin is often taken once daily for a shorter duration, typically 3 to 5 days, and is available in a convenient Z-Pak form. Doxycycline monohydrate can cause tooth discoloration in children under 8 and is not safe during pregnancy, whereas azithromycin is generally considered safe during pregnancy but can cause heart rhythm problems. Both medications can cause stomach-related side effects, but doxycycline monohydrate also makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Both are available as lower-cost generic form and come in both tablet and liquid forms.

doxycycline monohydrate

 

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Azithromycin

(Zithromax)

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Summary for Mondoxyne NL

Prescription only

Doxycycline monohydrate is an antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections. It can be used in adults and children to treat infections, but it can sometimes cause tooth discoloration in children 8 years and younger. It's also used to treat rosacea.

Indications for Mondoxyne NL

Doxycycline monohydrate is used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:

  • Lung infections (such as pneumonia)
  • Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Stomach infections
  • Severe acne
  • Anthrax
  • Plague
  • Cholera
  • Rosacea

Pros and Cons for Mondoxyne NL

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Available in multiple dosage strengths as both a capsule and tablet
  • Works well to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including pneumonia and severe acne
  • First-choice treatment option for rosacea (Oracea only)
  • Good option if you're allergic to penicillin antibiotics

Cons

  • Must take twice daily to treat most infections
  • Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause sunburn
  • Might cause tooth discoloration in children 8 years and younger
  • Oracea needs to be taken on an empty stomach
  • Might not be safe in pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Mondoxyne NL

Doxycycline monohydrate (Monodox, Vibramycin):

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain or discomfort
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash
  • Sensitivity to sunlight

Oracea:

  • Nose and throat infection (5%)
  • Diarrhea (5%)
  • Sinus infection (3%)
  • High blood pressure (3%)
  • Stuffy nose (2%)
  • Fungal infection (2%)
  • Flu (2%)
  • Stomach pain (2%)
  • Anxiety (2%)
  • Pain (2%)

Warnings for Mondoxyne NL

  • Permanent tooth discoloration
  • Severe diarrhea
  • High pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri)
  • Harm to unborn and young babies
  • Sunburn
  • Damage to the esophagus
  • Autoimmune problems
  • Skin color changes
  • New infections
  • Sulfite allergy

Summary for Zithromax

Prescription only

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic. It's used to treat many types of infections in children and adults, including strep throat, sinus infection, and pneumonia. Azithromycin (Zithromax) is taken by mouth once daily. Typically, the length of treatment ranges from 3 to 5 days, depending on the type of infection you have. For convenience, azithromycin (Zithromax) also comes pre-packaged as Z-Pak. Some of the more common side effects of azithromycin (Zithromax) include diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea.

Indications for Zithromax

Adults

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

Children

Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

  • Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)
  • Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)
  • Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)
  • Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)

Pros and Cons for Zithromax

Pros

  • Taken by mouth once daily
  • Treatment typically lasts only 3 to 5 days
  • Comes as a liquid; good option for people who've trouble swallowing tablets
  • Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Might not be the best choice for people with severe liver problems or certain heart problems
  • Can cause stomach-related side effects, like diarrhea and stomach pain
  • Some bugs might be resistant to azithromycin (Zithromax)

Common Side Effects for Zithromax

Adults

  • Diarrhea (4-5%)
  • Nausea (3%)
  • Stomach pain (2-3%)

Children

  • Diarrhea (2-6%)
  • Vomiting (1-6%)
  • Stomach pain (1-3%)

Warnings for Zithromax

  • Severe allergic and skin reactions
  • Liver damage
  • Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)
  • Possible higher risk of death from heart problems
  • Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
  • Worsening of certain muscle problems (myasthenia gravis)
  • Doesn't treat syphilis

Prices with our coupons for Mondoxyne NL vs. Zithromax

Price Card Drug Icon
Doxycycline Monohydrate14 capsules / 100mg
$12.85$43.13
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Azithromycin1 z-pak / 6 tablets of 250mg
$9.38$35.99
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