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Compare Ziana vs. Tetracycline

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

Key takeaways

Ziana (clindamycin/tretinoin) and tetracycline are both used to treat acne, but they are quite different in their forms and uses. Ziana is a topical medication that combines clindamycin, an antibiotic, and tretinoin, a retinoic acid and is applied to skin once daily. Tetracycline, on the other hand, is an oral antibiotic taken multiple times a day and is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including severe acne. Ziana can take up to 12 weeks to show improvement and may initially worsen acne, while tetracycline can cause stomach side effects and is not safe for young children due to the risk of teeth staining. Tetracycline should also be avoided in pregnant women as it can cause harm to the unborn baby. Both medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, but tetracycline can also interact with certain foods and medications. Ziana and tetracycline both require a prescription and have generic versions available.

  • Ziana (clindamycin / tretinoin)
    Tetracycline
  • Ziana (clindamycin / tretinoin)
    Tetracycline

  • Summary of Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Summary for Lincosamide antibiotic / Retinoic acid derivative
    Prescription only

    Ziana (clindamycin / tretinoin) is a combination medication used to treat acne in people over 12 years old. While side effects are mild for most people, it can take up to 12 weeks to see improvement.

    Summary for Tetracycline antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat many types of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). It's also sometimes used to fight acne-causing bacteria. Tetracycline is available as a lower-cost generic capsule that's safe for adults and children over 8 years of age to take. The dosage is taken multiple times a day. Tetracycline can cause unpleasant stomach side effects. There's also a risk of teeth staining in young children whose teeth are still growing.

  • Indications of Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Indications for
    •Acne
    Indications for
    •Bacterial skin infections
    •Severe acne
    •Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
    •Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, syphilis)
    •Urinary tract infections (UTI)
    •Rickettsial infections (usually from ticks, fleas, or mites), such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus fever
    •Other less common bacterial infections

  • Pros and Cons of Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Pros and Const for Lincosamide antibiotic / Retinoic acid derivative
    Pros
    •Works well with mild side effects
    •Only needs to be applied once a day
    •Might work when other acne treatments have failed
    •Easier to use a combination gel instead of two separate medications to treat acne
    Cons
    •Can take several weeks to work
    •Your acne might look worse when you first start it.
    •Not safe to use if you have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or inflammation of your intestines
    •Can be expensive even though a generic is available
    Pros and Const for Tetracycline antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats a wide range of bacterial infections, including acne
    •Good option for people with penicillin allergies
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Safe to use in children over the age of 8
    Cons
    •Need to take multiple times a day for most infections
    •Can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight
    •Interacts with certain antacids and dairy products, such as milk
    •Not safe for use in pregnancy or young children

  • Common Side Effects of Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Common Side Effects for
    •Skin redness (26-35%)
    •Scaly skin (13-17%)
    •Itchy skin (4-10%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Diarrhea
    •Stomach pain or discomfort
    •Loss of appetite
    •Skin rash

  • Warnings of Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Common Side Effects for
    •SEVERE DIARRHEA
    •SUNBURNS
    Common Side Effects for
    •Color changes to teeth
    •Severe infectious diarrhea
    •Sensitivity to sunlight
    •High pressure around the brain
    •Harm to unborn and young babies
    •Possible kidney and liver damage in people with kidney problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Ziana vs. Tetracycline

    Learn more about Ziana
    Learn more about Tetracycline

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