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Compare Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

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

Key takeaways

Doxycycline hyclate (Targadox, Doryx, Doryx MPC, Acticlate) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, there are some differences. Doxycycline hyclate is a tetracycline antibiotic, while sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is a combination of a sulfonamide antibiotic and an antifolate. Doxycycline hyclate is usually taken once or twice daily, and is available in capsules, tablets, liquid syrup, and injectable forms. In contrast, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is typically taken twice daily and comes in tablet, liquid, and injectable forms. Doxycycline hyclate can cause side effects like stomach upset and sun sensitivity, and it interacts with blood thinners and birth control pills. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can cause nausea, diarrhea, and rash, and it interacts with medications like dofetilide and warfarin. Both medications are not recommended during pregnancy, but sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can be used in children as young as 2 months, while doxycycline hyclate is not safe for children under 8 years old.

  • Doxycycline hyclate
    Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
  • Doxycycline hyclate
    Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

  • Summary of Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    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 Sulfonamide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sometimes known as SMZ/TMP) is a combination medication containing an antifolate and sulfa antibiotic. It's used to treat different types of infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), ear infections, and lung infections. This antibiotic has two different brand names, Bactrim and Septra, and it's also available as a lower-cost generic. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically twice daily for most types of infections. This antibiotic also comes as a suspension under the brand name Sulfatrim for people who can't swallow tablets and as an injection for people in the hospital. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and rash.

  • Indications of Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    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
    •Urinary tract infection (UTI)
    •Lower respiratory tract infection (e.g., Pneumocystis pneumonia, infections related to bronchitis)
    •Diarrhea caused by Shigella (shigellosis)
    •Travelers' diarrhea - tablet or liquid only
    •Ear infections - tablet or liquid only

  • Pros and Cons of Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    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 Sulfonamide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats many types of bacterial infections
    •Can be given to children as young as 2 months old to treat certain infections
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Can upset your stomach and make your skin more sensitive to the sun
    •Not the best choice for people with liver or kidney problems
    •Not recommended if you're pregnant
    •Can't take if you have a sulfa allergy

  • Common Side Effects of Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach upset
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Loss of appetite
    •Sunburn
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Diarrhea
    •Loss of appetite
    •Rash
    •Hives
    •Skin sensitivity to sun or light

  • Warnings of Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    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
    •Not for use during pregnancy
    •Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions
    •Low platelet counts and risk for bleeding
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Low sodium levels and high potassium levels
    •Blood cell-related problems
    •Problems with processing phenylalanine - for people with phenylketonuria (PKU) only

  • Prices with our coupons for Vibramycin vs. Bactrim

    Learn more about Doxycycline hyclate
    Learn more about Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

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