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Compare Flagyl vs. Dificid

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

Key takeaways

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and fidaxomicin (Dificid) are both antibiotics, but they treat different types of infections. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a nitroimidazole antibiotic used to treat various bacterial and parasitic infections, such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and *Clostridioides difficile* (*C. diff*) diarrhea. It is available as a lower-cost generic and is typically taken three times a day. On the other hand, fidaxomicin (Dificid) is a macrolide antibiotic specifically used to treat C. diff diarrhea in people 6 months and older. Dificid (fidaxomicin) is taken twice a day and does not have a generic form available yet. While both medications can cause nausea and vomiting, metronidazole (Flagyl) has a serious interaction with alcohol and can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Dificid (fidaxomicin) is considered a first-choice option for *C. diff* infections and is shown to be more effective than vancomycin in preventing the infection from coming back.

  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Dificid (fidaxomicin)
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Dificid (fidaxomicin)

  • Summary of Flagyl vs. Dificid

    Summary for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an oral antibiotic for adults and children. It's used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal bacteria infection) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection, or STI). Metronidazole (Flagyl) is taken by mouth, typically 3 times a day. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking and for 3 days after stopping metronidazole (Flagyl) because this combination can cause a serious reaction. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is available as a lower-cost generic.

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Fidaxomicin, also known by its brand name, Dificid, is a macrolide antibiotic. It's used to treat adults and children 6 months and older with a type of infectious diarrhea called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea. Dificid (fidaxomicin) is available as a tablet and suspension (liquid), but it isn't available as a lower-cost generic yet. Dificid (fidaxomicin) is taken by mouth twice per day. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

  • Indications of Flagyl vs. Dificid

    Indications for

    Treatment of certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including:

    •Trichomoniasis
    •Amebiasis (parasitic gut infection)
    •Serious bacterial infections, such as:
    •Abdominal infection (including peritonitis)
    •Skin infections
    •Gynecological infections (including endometritis)
    •Bloodstream infection (septicemia)
    •Bone and joint infections
    •Central nervous system infections (meningitis)
    •Lung infections (lower respiratory tract infections)
    •Heart infection (endocarditis)
    Indications for
    •Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) diarrhea in people ages 6 months and older

  • Pros and Cons of Flagyl vs. Dificid

    Pros and Const for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Can be used to treat different types of bacterial infection
    •Immediate-release formulations can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Immediate-release formulations needs to be taken multiple times a day for most infections
    •Serious interaction with alcohol
    •Can cause metallic taste in mouth
    •Not recommended while breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    Pros
    •First-choice option for treating C. diff diarrhea
    •Shown to work better than vancomycin capsules at preventing C. diff infection from coming back
    •Comes as a tablet and a liquid
    •Can be used in children as young as 6 months
    Cons
    •Taken twice per day
    •Can cause nausea and vomiting as side effects
    •Must let the liquid sit out of the refrigerator for 15 minutes before you take a dose
    •No lower-cost generic available

  • Common Side Effects of Flagyl vs. Dificid

    Common Side Effects for

    Please note: These are common side effects reported by people who took extended-release metronidazole (Flagyl)

    •Headache (18%)
    •Inflammation of the vagina (15%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Metallic taste (9%)
    •Flu-like symptoms (6%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults

    •Nausea (11%)
    •Vomiting (7%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)
    •Stomach bleeding (4%)

    Children

    •Fever (13%)
    •Stomach pain (8%)
    •Vomiting (7%)
    •Diarrhea (7%)
    •Constipation (5%)
    •Rash (5%)
    •High liver enzyme levels in the blood (5%)

  • Warnings of Flagyl vs. Dificid

    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk of cancer
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Brain and nerve problems
    •Liver and kidney problems
    •Risk of fungal infection
    •Risk of drug resistance
    •Lower white blood cell counts
    •Interaction with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Flagyl vs. Dificid

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    Learn more about Dificid

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