Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Finacea vs. Vibramycin

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

Key takeaways

Azelaic acid (Finacea, Azelex) and doxycycline hyclate are both used to treat acne, but they work in different ways. Azelaic acid is a topical antibacterial medication that you apply to your skin to treat mild to moderate acne and rosacea. It works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria and reducing inflammation. You need to use it twice daily, and it may take several weeks to see improvement. On the other hand, doxycycline hyclate is an oral antibiotic that treats a wide range of bacterial infections, including severe acne, respiratory infections, and sexually transmitted infections. It works by preventing bacteria from making proteins they need to grow. Doxycycline hyclate is taken by mouth once or twice daily, and it can cause side effects like stomach upset and increased sensitivity to the sun. Unlike azelaic acid, doxycycline hyclate is not safe for young children or pregnant women due to risks like permanent tooth discoloration and harm to unborn babies. Azelaic acid is available in gel, foam, and cream forms, while doxycycline hyclate comes in capsules, tablets, and liquid syrup.

  • Azelaic acid (Finacea)
    Doxycycline hyclate
  • Azelaic acid (Finacea)
    Doxycycline hyclate

  • Summary of Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Summary for Dicarboxylic acid
    Prescription only

    Azelaic acid (Finacea) is a dicarboxylic acid. It's a topical medication used to treat mild-to-moderate rosacea in adults. It works by easing skin redness and inflammation. Azelaic acid (Finacea) is applied to the skin twice daily, in the morning and evening. This medication comes as a gel and foam. Some side effects of azelaic acid (Finacea) include mild burning, tingling, and itching. It's available as brand name and generic medications.

    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 Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Indications for
    •Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate rosacea
    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 Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Pros and Const for Dicarboxylic acid
    Pros
    •Available as a gel and foam
    •Applied to the skin; convenient for people who don't like pills
    •Can wear cosmetics after it dries
    Cons
    •Might take months to see improvement
    •Can cause skin irritation, such as burning or dryness
    •Can cause skin color to lighten
    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 Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Common Side Effects for

    Finacea foam

    •Pain (6%)
    •Itching (3%)

    Finacea gel

    •Burning, stinging, tingling (4-16%)
    •Itching (1-6%)
    •Scaly or dry skin (1-5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach upset
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Loss of appetite
    •Sunburn

  • Warnings of Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Loss of skin color
    •Eye and mouth irritation
    •Worsening asthma (gel only)
    •Flammable (foam only)
    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 Finacea vs. Vibramycin

    Learn more about Azelaic acid
    Learn more about Doxycycline hyclate

Compare other Rosacea drugs

Epiduo vs FinaceaFinacea vs ClindesseFinacea vs DoxycyclineFinacea vs MinocyclineFinacea vs TindamaxKeflex vs FinaceaMetrogel vs FinaceaAccutane vs EpiduoAugmentin vs DoxycyclineAugmentin vs KeflexBactrim vs KeflexCefdinir vs DoxycyclineCeftin vs KeflexCephalexin vs DoxycyclineCleocin vs KeflexDoxycycline vs AzithromycinDoxycycline vs BactrimFlagyl vs KeflexKeflex vs AveloxKeflex vs CeclorKeflex vs CedaxKeflex vs ClindesseKeflex vs EpiduoKeflex vs MonurolMacrobid vs KeflexMetronidazole vs DoxycyclinePrimaquine vs DoxycyclineQualaquin vs DoxycyclineSpectracef vs KeflexZymaxid vs Keflex
View More

Browse medications

View All

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