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Compare Minocycline vs. Bactrim

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

Key takeaways

Minocycline (Minocin, Minolira, Solodyn) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra) are both antibiotics, but they belong to different classes and treat different types of infections. Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that works by stopping bacteria from making certain proteins, which helps treat infections like acne, respiratory infections, and sexually transmitted infections. On the other hand, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is a combination of a sulfonamide and an antifolate that stops bacteria from making folic acid, treating infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), ear infections, and lung infections. Minocycline is typically taken once or twice a day, while sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim is usually taken twice a day. Both medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, but minocycline can also cause dizziness and darken your skin and nails. Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim can upset your stomach and is not recommended for people with sulfa allergies. Both medications are not recommended during pregnancy due to risks to the unborn baby. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics.

Minocycline
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
Minocycline
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
Summary of Minocycline vs. Bactrim
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.
Summary for Sulfonamide antibiotic
Prescription only
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sometimes known as SMZ/TMP) is a combination medication containing an antifolate and sulfa antibiotic. It's used to treat different types of infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), ear infections, and lung infections. This antibiotic has two different brand names, Bactrim and Septra, and it's also available as a lower-cost generic. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically twice daily for most types of infections. This antibiotic also comes as a suspension under the brand name Sulfatrim for people who can't swallow tablets and as an injection for people in the hospital. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and rash.
Indications of Minocycline vs. Bactrim
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.

Indications for

•Urinary tract infection (UTI)

•Lower respiratory tract infection (e.g., Pneumocystis pneumonia, infections related to bronchitis)

•Diarrhea caused by Shigella (shigellosis)

•Travelers' diarrhea - tablet or liquid only

•Ear infections - tablet or liquid only
Pros and Cons of Minocycline vs. Bactrim
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

Pros and Const for Sulfonamide antibiotic
Pros

•Treats many types of bacterial infections

•Can be given to children as young as 2 months old to treat certain infections

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can upset your stomach and make your skin more sensitive to the sun

•Not the best choice for people with liver or kidney problems

•Not recommended if you're pregnant

•Can't take if you have a sulfa allergy
Common Side Effects of Minocycline vs. Bactrim
Common Side Effects for
For extended-release form:

•Headache (23%)

•Feeling tired (9%)

•Dizziness (9%)

•Itching (5%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea

•Vomiting

•Diarrhea

•Loss of appetite

•Rash

•Hives

•Skin sensitivity to sun or light
Warnings of Minocycline vs. Bactrim
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

Common Side Effects for

•Not for use during pregnancy

•Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions

•Low platelet counts and risk for bleeding

•Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection

•Low sodium levels and high potassium levels

•Blood cell-related problems

•Problems with processing phenylalanine - for people with phenylketonuria (PKU) only
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Compare Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Key takeaways

Summary of Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Indications of Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Pros and Cons of Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Common Side Effects of Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Warnings of Minocycline vs. Bactrim

Prices with our coupons for Minocycline vs. Bactrim

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