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Compare Flagyl vs. Minocycline

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

Key takeaways

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Minocycline (Minocin) are both antibiotics, but they belong to different classes and treat different types of infections. Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic that treats bacterial and parasitic infections like bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. It is taken orally, usually three times a day, and should not be mixed with alcohol due to serious interactions. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and a metallic taste. Minocycline, on the other hand, is a tetracycline antibiotic used for bacterial infections such as UTIs, respiratory infections, and acne. It can be taken with or without food, but it makes you more sensitive to the sun and can stain children's teeth. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic. Minocycline is not recommended during pregnancy and can interact with birth control pills and blood thinners. Both medications have serious side effects, but they differ in their specific risks and the types of infections they treat.

Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Minocycline
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Minocycline
Summary of Flagyl vs. Minocycline
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 Tetracycline antibiotic
Prescription only
Minocycline is an antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sinus infections. It's also used to treat acne when medications that are applied onto the skin aren't working well. Some common side effects include headache, feeling tired, and dizziness. Minocycline can also stain children's teeth and make you more like to get a sunburn.
Indications of Flagyl vs. Minocycline
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

•Moderate-to-severe acne

•Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs

•Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, and syphilis

•Skin infections

•Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

•Rickettsial infections (usually from ticks, fleas, or mites), such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus fever

•Other infections such as anthrax, plague, cholera, and more. Minocycline can be used to treat many other less common infections not listed here.
Pros and Cons of Flagyl vs. Minocycline
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 Tetracycline antibiotic
Pros

•Works well against certain types of acne

•A good alternative for some infections if you're allergic to penicillin

•Can take with or without food

•Might have a lower risk of infectious diarrhea than other antibiotics

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can make you get sunburns easier

•Can stain children's teeth during tooth development

•Interacts with blood thinners and birth control pills

•Not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding

•Not available as an oral liquid
Common Side Effects of Flagyl vs. Minocycline
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
For extended-release form:

•Headache (23%)

•Feeling tired (9%)

•Dizziness (9%)

•Itching (5%)
Warnings of Flagyl vs. Minocycline
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

•Harm to unborn babies

•Color changes to teeth in babies and children

•Infectious diarrhea

•Severe allergic and skin reactions

•Kidney and liver damage

•High pressure in the brain

•Darker tissue

•New infection

•Autoimmune problems
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Compare Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Key takeaways

Summary of Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Indications of Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Pros and Cons of Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Common Side Effects of Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Warnings of Flagyl vs. Minocycline

Prices with our coupons for Flagyl vs. Minocycline

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