Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Vantin vs. Cipro

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

Key takeaways

Cefpodoxime and Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but they belong to different classes and have distinct uses and side effects. Cefpodoxime, available as a generic, is a cephalosporin antibiotic typically taken twice a day to treat infections like strep throat, pneumonia, and UTIs. Ciprofloxacin, also available as a generic, is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for more serious infections such as bone and joint infections, anthrax, and plague, and is also taken twice daily. While both medications can cause common side effects like nausea and diarrhea, Ciprofloxacin has more severe potential side effects, including tendon rupture and nerve damage, making it a less preferred option unless necessary. Additionally, Ciprofloxacin can interact with many other medications and requires careful monitoring, whereas Cefpodoxime is generally considered safer with fewer severe risks. Both antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed to avoid complications and ensure effectiveness.

  • Cefpodoxime
    Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
  • Cefpodoxime
    Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

  • Summary of Vantin vs. Cipro

    Summary for Cephalosporin antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It's used to treat several types of bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, and strep throat, in adults and children. The brand-name product Vantin is discontinued, but the antibiotic is still available as a lower-cost generic tablet and suspension. The dosage depends on your age and the type of infection you have, but cefpodoxime is typically taken twice per day by mouth. Side effects include diarrhea and nausea.

    Summary for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It can treat many types of bacterial infections, including sinus infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). But because ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can cause serious side effects, such as tendon rupture and nerve damage, it's usually only prescribed for more serious infections or when there aren't any safer options. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is taken by mouth, typically twice daily. It's available as a pill and oral solution. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include nausea and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Vantin vs. Cipro

    Indications for
    •Strep throat
    •Tonsil infection
    •Sinus infection
    •Pneumonia
    •Lung infection related to long-term bronchitis
    •Urinary tract infection (UTI)
    •Gonorrhea
    •Skin infection
    •Ear infection
    Indications for

    Adults only

    •Skin infections
    •Bone and joint infections
    •Sinus infections
    •Lower respiratory tract infections
    •Stomach infections
    •Infectious diarrhea
    •Typhoid fever
    •Gonorrhea in the genitals
    •Long-term prostate infections

    Adults and children

    •Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    •Anthrax exposure through inhalation
    •Plague

  • Pros and Cons of Vantin vs. Cipro

    Pros and Const for Cephalosporin antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats many types of bacterial infections throughout the body
    •Can use to treat infections in both children and adults
    •Available as a tablet and liquid suspension
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to take twice per day to treat most infections
    •Might not be able to take if you have a severe allergy to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics
    •Not recommended for the cold or flu, since they're not caused by a bacterial infection
    Pros and Const for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can take with or without food
    •Available as tablets, oral liquid, and injection
    •Possible option for people with penicillin allergy
    Cons
    •Taken twice daily
    •Has many potentially serious side effects and risks (e.g., nerve issues, irregular heartbeat)
    •Interacts with many medications, including metformin and warfarin (Coumadin)

  • Common Side Effects of Vantin vs. Cipro

    Common Side Effects for
    •Diaper rash or fungal skin rash in children (up to 9%)
    •Diarrhea (up to 7% in adults; up to 13% in children under 2 years old)
    •Nausea (3%)
    •Vomiting (2%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Diarrhea
    •Vomiting
    •Rash
    •Abnormal liver blood test results

  • Warnings of Vantin vs. Cipro

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reaction
    •Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
    •Possible development of drug-resistant bacteria
    Common Side Effects for
    •Tendon inflammation and rupture
    •Effects on the brain, nerves, and mental health
    •Worsening of myasthenia gravis
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Liver damage
    •Severe damage to a major blood vessel
    •Infectious diarrhea
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Muscle, bone, or joint problems in children
    •Sun and light sensitivity
    •Kidney problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Vantin vs. Cipro

    Learn more about Cefpodoxime
    Learn more about Ciprofloxacin

Compare other Skin Infection and Urinary Tract Infection drugs

Vantin vs AugmentinVantin vs BactrimVantin vs CedaxVantin vs CeftinVantin vs CiproVantin vs PenicillinVantin vs TeflaroAugmentin vs AmoxicillinAugmentin vs AzithromycinAugmentin vs BactrimAugmentin vs CephalexinAugmentin vs CiproAugmentin vs DoxycyclineAugmentin vs KeflexAugmentin vs LevaquinBactrim vs AmoxicillinBactrim vs CefdinirBactrim vs CiproBactrim vs ClindamycinBactrim vs KeflexCefdinir vs AugmentinClindamycin vs AugmentinDoxycycline vs BactrimFlagyl vs BactrimLevaquin vs BactrimMacrobid vs BactrimPenicillin vs AugmentinSpectracef vs AugmentinTindamax vs AugmentinUnasyn vs Augmentin
View More

Browse medications

View All

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