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Compare Zyvox vs. Flagyl

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

Key takeaways

Linezolid (Zyvox) and metronidazole (Flagyl) are both antibiotics, but they belong to different classes and treat different types of infections. Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia and skin infections, including those caused by resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE. It is available in tablet, powder for suspension, and injection forms and is typically taken every 8 or 12 hours. On the other hand, Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic that treats bacterial and parasitic infections, including bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. It is taken orally, usually three times a day, and is available as a lower-cost generic. Linezolid has a rare but serious risk of serotonin syndrome, especially when taken with certain antidepressants, while Metronidazole has a serious interaction with alcohol and can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Both medications have common side effects like nausea and diarrhea, but Linezolid also has an increased risk of low blood cell counts and nerve damage if taken for extended periods.

Linezolid (Zyvox)
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Linezolid (Zyvox)
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Summary of Zyvox vs. Flagyl
Summary for Oxazolidinone antibiotic
Prescription only
Linezolid (Zyvox) is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that's used to treat adults and children with certain bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and skin infections. This antibiotic can help fight hard-to-treat infections caused by certain bacteria, such as MRSA and VRE. Linezolid (Zyvox) is available as a tablet, powder for suspension, and injection. It's typically taken every 8 or 12 hours. Some side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. This antibiotic also has a rare but serious risk for serotonin syndrome from interactions with medications like antidepressants.
Summary for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
Prescription only
Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an oral antibiotic for adults and children. It's used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including bacterial vaginosis (a type of vaginal bacteria infection) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection, or STI). Metronidazole (Flagyl) is taken by mouth, typically 3 times a day. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking and for 3 days after stopping metronidazole (Flagyl) because this combination can cause a serious reaction. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is available as a lower-cost generic.
Indications of Zyvox vs. Flagyl
Indications for

•Pneumonia

•Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis, foot infection related to diabetes)

•Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) infections

Indications for
Treatment of certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including:

•Trichomoniasis

•Amebiasis (parasitic gut infection)

•Serious bacterial infections, such as:

•Abdominal infection (including peritonitis)

•Skin infections

•Gynecological infections (including endometritis)

•Bloodstream infection (septicemia)

•Bone and joint infections

•Central nervous system infections (meningitis)

•Lung infections (lower respiratory tract infections)

•Heart infection (endocarditis)
Pros and Cons of Zyvox vs. Flagyl
Pros and Const for Oxazolidinone antibiotic
Pros

•Good choice for treating infections caused by resistant bacteria like MRSA and VRE

•Available as a tablet, powder for suspension, and injection

•Can be used in people with kidney or liver problems

Cons

•Need to take every 8 or 12 hours, depending on your age and infection

•Can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome when taken with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the body

•Interacts with some foods, such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and pickled foods

Pros and Const for Nitroimidazole antibiotic
Pros

•Taken by mouth

•Available as a lower-cost generic medication

•Can be used to treat different types of bacterial infection

•Immediate-release formulations can be taken with or without food

Cons

•Immediate-release formulations needs to be taken multiple times a day for most infections

•Serious interaction with alcohol

•Can cause metallic taste in mouth

•Not recommended while breastfeeding
Common Side Effects of Zyvox vs. Flagyl
Common Side Effects for
Adults

•Diarrhea (8%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Headache (6%)

Children

•Diarrhea (11%)

•Vomiting (9%)

•Anemia (low red blood cell count; 6%)

•Low platelets (up to 5%)

Common Side Effects for
Please note: These are common side effects reported by people who took extended-release metronidazole (Flagyl)

•Headache (18%)

•Inflammation of the vagina (15%)

•Nausea (10%)

•Metallic taste (9%)

•Flu-like symptoms (6%)
Warnings of Zyvox vs. Flagyl
Common Side Effects for

•Low blood cell counts

•Nerve and eye damage

•Serotonin syndrome

•Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection

•Buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis)

•Seizures

•Low blood sugar

•Low blood sodium levels

•Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - powder for suspension form only

Common Side Effects for

•Possible risk of cancer

•Serious allergic reactions

•Brain and nerve problems

•Liver and kidney problems

•Risk of fungal infection

•Risk of drug resistance

•Lower white blood cell counts

•Interaction with other medications
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Key takeaways

Summary of Zyvox vs. Flagyl

Indications of Zyvox vs. Flagyl

Pros and Cons of Zyvox vs. Flagyl

Common Side Effects of Zyvox vs. Flagyl

Warnings of Zyvox vs. Flagyl

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