Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

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

Key takeaways

Cephalexin (Keflex) and doxycycline hyclate (Vibramycin, Doryx) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, they belong to different medication classes: cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic, while doxycycline hyclate is a tetracycline antibiotic. Cephalexin is typically taken 2 to 4 times a day and is available in capsules, tablets, and liquid suspensions, whereas doxycycline hyclate is usually taken once or twice daily and comes in capsules, tablets, and liquid syrup. Cephalexin is only available as a lower-cost generic, while doxycycline hyclate is available as both generic and several brand names, such as Vibramycin and Doryx. Common side effects of cephalexin include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while doxycycline hyclate can cause stomach upset, nausea, and sunburn. Doxycycline hyclate can interact with blood thinners and birth control pills, while cephalexin may interact with metformin and probenecid. Additionally, doxycycline hyclate is not safe for young children or pregnant women, whereas cephalexin is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

  • Cephalexin
    Doxycycline hyclate
  • Cephalexin
    Doxycycline hyclate

  • Summary of Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Summary for Cephalosporin antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Cephalexin is a common antibiotic that's used to treat many different bacterial infections including urinary tract infections (UTIs), ear infections, and sinus infections, to name a few. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic that kills bacteria to fight the infection. It's safe to use in people over the age of 1, and it's typically taken by mouth 2 to 4 times per day. This medication is available as a lower-cost generic capsule, tablet, and suspension; the brand name Keflex is no longer available. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

    Summary for Tetracycline antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Doxycycline hyclate is an antibiotic that treats many conditions, including acne, chlamydia, sinus infection, and urinary tract infection (UTI). It's taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. It comes as capsules, tablets, and a liquid syrup. Side effects of doxycycline hyclate include stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Indications of Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Indications for
    •Respiratory tract infections
    •Ear infections
    •Skin infections
    •Bone infections
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Reproductive system infections
    Indications for

    Doxycycline hyclate is used to prevent malaria due to the parasite Plasmodium falciparum and to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:

    •Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
    •Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
    •Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, and syphilis
    •Lyme disease
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Severe acne
    •Anthrax
    •Plague
    •Cholera

  • Pros and Cons of Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Pros and Const for Cephalosporin antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats several common types of bacterial infections
    •Can use for adults and children over the age of 1
    •Available as a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Usually need to take a few times per day
    •Might not be able to take if you're allergic to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics
    •Not recommended for the cold or flu (these are viral illnesses, not bacterial infections)
    Pros and Const for Tetracycline antibiotic
    Pros
    •Good alternative for some infections if you're allergic to penicillins
    •Treats many different infections, including severe acne and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia
    •Available as a liquid for those who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Likely safe for people who have kidney problems
    Cons
    •Can raise your risk of sunburns
    •Can sometimes cause stomach discomfort or stomach upset
    •Interacts with blood thinners and birth control pills
    •Not safe for young children or pregnant females

  • Common Side Effects of Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Indigestion
    •Stomach pain
    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach upset
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Loss of appetite
    •Sunburn

  • Warnings of Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reactions
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of drug-resistant bacteria
    •Seizures
    •Higher risk of bleeding
    Common Side Effects for
    •Permanent tooth discoloration
    •Severe diarrhea
    •Severe skin reactions
    •High pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri)
    •Harm to unborn and young babies
    •Sunburn
    •Damage to the esophagus
    •New infections
    •Drug-resistant bacteria

  • Prices with our coupons for Cephalexin vs. Vibramycin

    Learn more about Cephalexin
    Learn more about Doxycycline hyclate

Compare other Skin Infection drugs

Augmentin vs CephalexinAzithromycin vs CephalexinCefadroxil vs CephalexinCefazolin vs CephalexinCefdinir vs CephalexinCefpodoxime vs CephalexinCefuroxime Axetil vs CephalexinCefuroxime vs CephalexinCephalexin vs AmoxicillinCephalexin vs CeftriaxoneCephalexin vs ClindamycinCephalexin vs DoxycyclineCephalexin vs PenicillinCiprofloxacin vs CephalexinAugmentin vs AmoxicillinAugmentin vs AzithromycinAugmentin vs BactrimAugmentin vs CiproAugmentin vs DoxycyclineAugmentin vs KeflexAugmentin vs LevaquinBesivance vs CiprofloxacinCefdinir vs AugmentinCefdinir vs CeftriaxoneClindamycin vs AugmentinPenicillin vs AugmentinSpectracef vs AugmentinTindamax vs AugmentinUnasyn vs AugmentinVantin vs Augmentin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.