Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

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

Key takeaways

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and doxycycline hyclate (Vibramycin, Doryx) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic, while doxycycline hyclate is a tetracycline antibiotic. Both medications can treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but doxycycline hyclate is also used for conditions like acne, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are not treated by metronidazole. Metronidazole is typically taken three times a day, whereas doxycycline hyclate is usually taken once or twice daily. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic. Metronidazole should not be taken with alcohol due to serious interactions, while doxycycline hyclate does not have this restriction but can cause sun sensitivity. Common side effects of metronidazole include nausea and a metallic taste, while doxycycline hyclate can cause stomach upset and sunburn. Both medications can interact with blood thinners, but metronidazole also interacts with disulfiram and lithium, whereas doxycycline hyclate can affect birth control effectiveness.

  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Doxycycline hyclate
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Doxycycline hyclate

  • Summary of Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    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

    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 Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    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

    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 Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    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
    •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 Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    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
    •Stomach upset
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Loss of appetite
    •Sunburn

  • Warnings of Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    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
    •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 Metronidazole vs. Vibramycin

    Learn more about Metronidazole
    Learn more about Doxycycline hyclate

Compare other Skin Infection drugs

Azelaic Acid vs MetronidazoleClindamycin vs MetronidazoleFluconazole vs MetronidazoleIvermectin vs MetronidazoleMetronidazole vs AmoxicillinMetronidazole vs CeftriaxoneMetronidazole vs CiproMetronidazole vs DoxycyclineMetronidazole vs FluconazoleMetronidazole vs MiconazoleMetronidazole vs MupirocinTinidazole vs MetronidazoleAmoxicillin vs PenicillinAugmentin vs AmoxicillinAugmentin vs DoxycyclineAzithromycin vs AmoxicillinBactrim vs AmoxicillinCefdinir vs AmoxicillinCefdinir vs CeftriaxoneCefdinir vs DoxycyclineCephalexin vs AmoxicillinCephalexin vs DoxycyclineDoxycycline Hyclate vs AmoxicillinDoxycycline vs AzithromycinDoxycycline vs BactrimErythromycin vs AmoxicillinFinacea vs DoxycyclineNitrofurantoin vs AmoxicillinPrimaquine vs DoxycyclineQualaquin vs Doxycycline
View More

Browse medications

View All

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