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Compare Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

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

Key takeaways

Levofloxacin and rifabutin (Mycobutin) are both antibiotics, but they are used for different purposes and belong to different classes. Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections like pneumonia, UTIs, and skin infections. It is typically taken once daily and can cause serious side effects such as tendon rupture and nerve damage. Rifabutin, on the other hand, is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with severe HIV. It is also taken once daily and can change the color of your body fluids and skin. While levofloxacin is available only in generic form, rifabutin is available under both the brand name Mycobutin and generic form. Levofloxacin has a broader range of uses but comes with more severe side effects, whereas rifabutin is specifically used for MAC prevention and has unique side effects like staining of body fluids and lowering blood cell counts. Both medications require a prescription and have specific dosing guidelines based on individual health conditions.

  • Levofloxacin
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
  • Levofloxacin
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

  • Summary of Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Summary for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It can treat many types of bacterial infections, including pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs). But because levofloxacin can cause serious side effects, such as tendon rupture and nerve damage, it's usually only prescribed for more serious infections or when safer options aren't available. Levofloxacin is taken by mouth, typically once daily. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include nausea, headache, and diarrhea. Levofloxacin is generic only, brand-name Levaquin is no longer available.

    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 Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Indications for

    Adults only

    •Skin infections
    •Sinus infections
    •Pneumonia
    •Sudden worsening of chronic (long-term) bronchitis
    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Kidney infections
    •Long-term prostate infections

    Adults and children

    •Anthrax exposure through inhalation
    •Plague
    Indications for
    •Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with severe HIV infection

  • Pros and Cons of Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Pros and Const for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Pros
    •Usually taken once per day
    •Available as tablets, oral liquid, and injection
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Has many potentially serious side effects and risks (e.g, nerve issues, irregular heartbeat)
    •Might cause muscle, bone, and joint problems in children
    •Interacts with some antacids and multivitamins
    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 Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Headache (6%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Trouble sleeping (4%)
    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 Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Tendon inflammation and rupture
    •Effects on the brain, nerves, and mental health
    •Worsening of myasthenia gravis
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Liver damage
    •Severe blood vessel (aorta) damage
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Muscle, bone, and joint problems in children
    •Sun and light sensitivity
    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 Levaquin vs. Mycobutin

    Learn more about Levofloxacin
    Learn more about Rifabutin

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