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Compare Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

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

  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Mupirocin
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl)
    Mupirocin

  • Summary of Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

    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 Antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic that's used to treat small areas of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo or a "Staph" infection on the skin. It comes as a cream and an ointment that are applied onto the skin a few times a day for 10 days. This medication can be used on adults or children (over the age of 2 months for the ointment, and over the age of 3 months for the cream). Although mupirocin has very few side effects, some people can experience headache, nausea, or burning at the application site.

  • Indications of Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

    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
    •Impetigo - ointment
    •Bacterial skin infection that happens after skin gets damaged (e.g., from a cut or other wound) - cream

  • Pros and Cons of Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

    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 Antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can use for children as young as 2 months old (ointment) or 3 months old (cream)
    •Can easily apply directly where the skin infection is
    •Generally well-tolerated; few people experience side effects
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Only available by prescription
    •Need to remember to use three times a day
    •Ointment might not be a good option for people with kidney problems because of risk of harm

  • Common Side Effects of Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

    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
    •Headache (2%)
    •Burning, stinging, or pain at the application site (up to 2%; more common with ointment)
    •Rash (1%)
    •Nausea (1%)

  • Warnings of Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

    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
    •Severe allergic reaction
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Development of hard-to-treat infections
    •Caution use in people with kidney problems (ointment only)

  • Prices with our coupons for Metronidazole vs. Mupirocin

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    Learn more about Mupirocin

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