Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

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

Key takeaways

Isoniazid (Nydrazid) and Rifabutin (Mycobutin) are both antibiotics, but they are used for different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Isoniazid is an antitubercular agent primarily used to treat and prevent tuberculosis (TB), while Rifabutin is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with advanced HIV. Isoniazid is available in both oral and injectable forms, whereas Rifabutin is only available as an oral capsule. Isoniazid can cause serious liver injury and nerve problems, and it interacts with many foods and medications. Rifabutin, on the other hand, can change the color of your body fluids and skin, and it also interacts with many medications, including some HIV treatments. Both medications require careful monitoring by your healthcare provider.

  • Isoniazid
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
  • Isoniazid
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

  • Summary of Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Summary for Antimycobacterial agent
    Prescription only

    Isoniazid is an antimycobacterial agent for treating and preventing tuberculosis (TB) in children and adults. It's available as a generic oral tablet and solution, usually taken daily or a few times a week, depending on your dose. For treating active TB, you'll likely need to take it along with other TB medications (like rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) to prevent antibiotic resistance. Serious side effects include severe liver injury. It's also known to interact with many foods and medications.

    Summary for Rifamycin antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It's available as a capsule that's taken by mouth, typically once daily. The most common side effect of rifabutin (Mycobutin) include temporarily change the color of your teeth, body fluids, and even urine.

  • Indications of Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Indications for
    •Tuberculosis (TB) infection
    •Prevention of TB if you're at high risk for infection
    Indications for
    •Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with severe HIV infection

  • Pros and Cons of Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Pros and Const for Antimycobacterial agent
    Pros
    •Is one of the main medications used to treat TB
    •Can be taken by itself for prevention of TB (along with a pyridoxine supplement)
    •Available as an oral tablet and oral solution
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Can cause serious liver damage
    •Likely will need to take it for many months
    •You might need to take each dose in front of a healthcare professional
    •Interacts with many foods and medications
    Pros and Const for Rifamycin antibiotic
    Pros
    •Helps prevent MAC, a very serious infection, if you have severe HIV
    •Is an option for people who can't take azithromycin or clarithromycin to prevent MAC
    •Can take with or without food
    Cons
    •Isn't a first-choice medication for prevention of MAC in people with HIV
    •Interacts with many medications, including some HIV medications
    •Can change the color of your skin and body fluids, and stain your contact lenses

  • Common Side Effects of Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
    •Rise in liver enzymes
    Common Side Effects for
    •Change in urine color (30%)
    •Low blood cell count (up to 25%)
    •Rash (11%)
    •Higher liver enzymes (7-9%)
    •Nausea (6%)

  • Warnings of Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver injury (hepatitis)
    •Interactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not for treatment of tuberculosis (TB)
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Serious allergic and skin reactions
    •Eye inflammation
    •Infectious diarrhea
    •Low blood cell counts

  • Prices with our coupons for Isoniazid vs. Mycobutin

    Learn more about Isoniazid
    Learn more about Rifabutin

Compare other Tuberculosis drugs

Cipro vs IsoniazidEthambutol vs IsoniazidIsoniazid vs AveloxIsoniazid vs LevaquinIsoniazid vs Mycobutin
View More

Browse medications

View All

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