Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

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

Key takeaways

Sirturo (bedaquiline) and Mycobutin (rifabutin) are both antibiotics used to treat serious infections, but they belong to different medication classes and have different uses. Sirturo is specifically used for tuberculosis that doesn't respond to other treatments, while Mycobutin is a rifamycin antibiotic used to prevent Mycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) infection in people with advanced HIV. Sirturo requires a specific dosing schedule over 24 weeks, whereas Mycobutin is typically taken as a 300 mg capsule once daily. Sirturo is not available as a generic and must be taken with at least three other tuberculosis medications, while Mycobutin can be taken with or without food and is available as a generic. Common side effects of Sirturo include nausea, joint pain, and headache. Serious risks are less common but include heart rhythm problems and liver damage. Mycobutin can cause changes in urine color, low blood cell counts, and serious allergic reactions. Both medications have a number of important drug interactions, so be sure your prescriber and pharmacist have a complete list of your medications.

  • Sirturo (bedaquiline)
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
  • Sirturo (bedaquiline)
    Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

  • Summary of Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Summary for Antitubercular agent
    Prescription only

    Sirturo (bedaquiline) is reserved for treating tuberculosis (TB) that's resistant to other antibiotics. It's an antitubercular agent that helps kill the bacteria causing TB. Sirturo (bedaquiline) is FDA approved for adults and children over the age of 2 who weigh at least 18 lbs. It's a tablet that you take by mouth. You first take the dose once daily for 2 weeks, and then you take half that dose three times a week for the next 22 weeks. Common side effects include nausea, joint pain, and headache. You must take Sirturo (bedaquiline) with other TB medications.

    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 Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Indications for
    •Lung infection from tuberculosis (TB) that's resistant to or doesn't respond to other TB medications, including rifampin and isoniazid
    Indications for
    •Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with severe HIV infection

  • Pros and Cons of Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Pros and Const for Antitubercular agent
    Pros
    •Treats multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is a serious health problem with few antibiotic options
    •Okay for children as young as 2 years old to take
    •Taken once daily for 2 weeks, then 3 times a week for the rest of treatment
    •Have many options if you have trouble swallowing tablets whole
    •Can be given through a feeding tube, if needed
    Cons
    •Must have a healthcare professional watch you take the medication each time to make sure you follow your treatment plan
    •Must take multiple tablets for each dose and treatment lasts many months
    •Must take with at least 3 other TB medications
    •Only used if absolutely needed because of serious risks
    •Not for latent TB (inactive TB) or TB that's spread outside the lungs
    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 Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (38%)
    •Joint pain (33%)
    •Headache (28%)
    •Coughing up blood (18%)
    •Chest pain (11%)
    •Low appetite (9%)
    •Higher liver enzyme levels (9%)
    •Rash (8%)

    Note: Side effects were reported in adults taking Sirturo (bedaquiline) with other TB medications. Side effects might differ in children.

    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 Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart rhythm problems
    •Possible higher risk of death based on adult studies
    •Liver damage
    •Drug interactions
    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 Sirturo vs. Mycobutin

    Learn more about Sirturo
    Learn more about Rifabutin

Compare other Tuberculosis drugs

Ethambutol vs SirturoPretomanid vs SirturoSirturo vs AveloxSirturo vs CiproSirturo vs LevaquinSirturo vs MycobutinSirturo vs PyrazinamideAugmentin vs CiproAzithromycin vs CiproEthambutol vs AveloxEthambutol vs CiproEthambutol vs IsoniazidEthambutol vs LevaquinEthambutol vs MycobutinEthambutol vs PyrazinamideEthambutol vs RifadinIsoniazid vs AveloxIsoniazid vs MycobutinIsoniazid vs PyrazinamideKeflex vs AveloxLevaquin vs AveloxLevaquin vs MycobutinPyrazinamide vs AveloxPyrazinamide vs CiproPyrazinamide vs LevaquinPyrazinamide vs MycobutinPyrazinamide vs RifadinRifadin vs MycobutinTindamax vs AveloxXenleta vs Avelox
View More

Browse medications

View All

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