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Compare Minocycline vs. Cleocin

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

Key takeaways

Minocycline (Minocin, Minolira, Solodyn, Ximino) and clindamycin (Clindesse, Cleocin, Xaciato) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic, while clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. Minocycline is used to treat a wide range of infections, including acne, respiratory tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections, and is available in oral forms. Clindamycin, on the other hand, is specifically used for vaginal bacterial infections and is available as a vaginal cream or gel. Minocycline can cause side effects like headache, dizziness, and increased sensitivity to sunlight, while clindamycin may lead to vaginal discomfort and yeast infections. Minocycline can interact with blood thinners and birth control pills, whereas clindamycin can weaken condoms and diaphragms. Minocycline is available as a generic, making it more affordable, while some forms of clindamycin are only available as brand-name medications.

  • Minocycline
    Clindamycin
  • Minocycline
    Clindamycin

  • Summary of Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    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 Lincosamide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Clindamycin is an antibiotic that's used to treat vaginal bacterial infections. It comes as a cream and gel that are inserted into your vagina. Some formulations only have to be used as a single dose, while others require 3 or 7 days of treatment.

  • Indications of Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    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
    •Vaginal bacterial infections (bacterial vaginosis)

  • Pros and Cons of Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    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 Lincosamide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Might not cause as many stomach-related side effects as oral medications
    •Some versions are safe to use during pregnancy.
    •Some versions only have to be used once as a single dose.
    •Cleocin comes as a lower-cost generic medication.
    •Clindesse comes in a convenient, prefilled applicator.
    Cons
    •Vaginal application can be uncomfortable for some people.
    •Can cause yeast infections
    •Can't use condoms, diaphragms, or tampons for several days after finishing treatment
    •Single-dose cream and gel are brand-only, so they can be expensive
    •Shouldn't be used if you have bowel problems such as ulcerative colitis

  • Common Side Effects of Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    Common Side Effects for

    For extended-release form:

    •Headache (23%)
    •Feeling tired (9%)
    •Dizziness (9%)
    •Itching (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Pain or discomfort in or around the vulva and vagina
    •Inflammation in or around the vulva and vagina
    •Vaginal yeast infection
    •Headache
    •Back pain

  • Warnings of Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    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
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Severe diarrhea
    •Damage to condoms and diaphragms
    •Vaginal yeast infections

  • Prices with our coupons for Minocycline vs. Cleocin

    Learn more about Minocycline
    Learn more about Clindamycin

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