Vibramycin vs. Bactrim for Pneumonia: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

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

Get free coupons

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

Get free coupons

Summary for Vibramycin

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 for Vibramycin

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 for Vibramycin

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 for Vibramycin

Stomach upset
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Sunburn

Warnings for Vibramycin

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

Summary for Bactrim

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 for Bactrim

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 for Bactrim

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 for Bactrim

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Rash
Hives
Skin sensitivity to sun or light

Warnings for Bactrim

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