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Compare Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

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

Key takeaways

Doxycycline hyclate (Vibramycin, Doryx) and azithromycin (Zithromax) are both antibiotics used to treat various infections, including sinus infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia. However, they belong to different medication classes: doxycycline hyclate is a tetracycline antibiotic, while azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. Doxycycline hyclate is available in tablets, capsules, liquid syrup, and injectable forms and is typically taken once or twice daily. Azithromycin is availible in tablets and injectable forms and is taken once daily for 3 to 5 days. Doxycycline hyclate can cause side effects like stomach upset, nausea, and increased sun sensitivity, while azithromycin may lead to diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Doxycycline hyclate interacts with blood thinners and birth control pills, whereas azithromycin can interact with warfarin and medications that affect heart rhythm and statins. Both medications require a prescription and are not controlled substances.

  • Doxycycline hyclate
    Azithromycin (Zithromax)
  • Doxycycline hyclate
    Azithromycin (Zithromax)

  • Summary of Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

    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.

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    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 of Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

    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
    Indications for

    Adults

    Azithromycin (Zithromax) can treat certain types of:

    •Sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from a bacterial infection
    •Bronchitis
    •Sinus infections
    •Pneumonia
    •Strep throat
    •Tonsil infections
    •Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
    •Urethra or cervix infections
    •Genital ulcer disease (chancroid)

    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 of Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

    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
    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    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 of Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

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

    Adults

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

    Children

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

  • Warnings of Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 Vibramycin vs. Azithromycin

    Learn more about Doxycycline hyclate
    Learn more about Azithromycin

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