Compare Benzamycin vs. minocycline
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Topical treatment for acne and pimples.
Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) is a common affordable treatment for acne and pimples, but it can stain clothing and hair.
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3.4/ 5 average rating with 146 reviewsforBenzamycin
Treats bacterial infections.
Solodyn (minocycline) is effective in treating a variety of bacterial infections such as acne, but it can cause permanent tooth staining, especially in an unborn baby and those who are age 8 or younger.
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4.0/ 5 average rating with 17 reviewsforminocycline
Upsides
- The combination of medicines in Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) works better to reduce bacteria in oil glands and improve overall appearance of acne than either medicine alone.
- Combining an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide lowers the chances of Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) not working as well over time (known as resistance).
- Can be used in combination with acne pill medicine if your doctor thinks you need it.
- A generic form of Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) is available to help lower cost.
- May be taken with or without food.
- Solodyn (minocycline) is used in combination with other medications to treat severe acne.
- Available as a generic form.
- Solodyn (minocycline) is less likely to cause sunburn than other tetracycline antibiotics.
- Can be a good alternative treatment for certain infections when penicillin can't be used.
Downsides
- Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) may not work for everyone. Like with any acne medicine, you may have to try different medicines before finding the one that works for you.
- You have to apply this twice a day. With some other medicines, you may only need to apply once a day.
- Is generally only effective for mild to moderate acne. If you have severe acne, you may need an oral medication.
- The most common form of Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin) needs to be stored in the fridge and is only good for 3 months even if you have medicine remaining in the container.
- It can make birth control pills less effective, so barrier methods of birth control like condoms or diaphragms should be used while on Solodyn (minocycline).
- Can permanently discolor your teeth, mouth, gums and skin. This is more common for pregnant women in their last half of pregnancy, infants, and children 8 and younger.
- Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun and your chances of getting sunburned are higher.
- May cause dizziness and affect your driving ability.
- Not a good option for pregnant women since it can slow down the bone development of a fetus (unborn baby).
Used for
- Acne
- Urinary tract infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Skin infections
- Anthrax
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Yaws
- Listeria infection
- Vincent's infection
- Actinomycosis
- Clostridium infection
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Typhus fever
- Q fever
- Tick fevers
- Rickettsialpox
- Cholera
- Campylobacter infection
- Psittacosis
- Urethritis
- Relapsing fever
- Brucellosis
- Granuloma inguinale
- Chancroid
- Plague
- Tularemia
- Leprosy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Cellulitis
- Malaria
Dosage forms
- Gel
- Pill
- Extended-release pill
Price
Lowest price
$29.12
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$105.57
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Reviews
146 reviews so far
54%
saidit'sworth it
26%
saiditworked well
12%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin)?
Leave a review17 reviews so far
53%
saidit'sworth it
59%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Solodyn (minocycline)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
6possible side effects
- Dry skin8%
- Dryness3%
- Hives3%
- Reaction where applied3%
- Eyelid inflammation2%
- Itching2%
The Solodyn (minocycline) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Bleaching effects
- Skin irritation
- Using other medicines or products that irritate the skin
- Eczema
- Extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
- Allergic reaction
- Development of more serious infections
- Long-term use of Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Yellowing of teeth
- Age 8 or younger
- Women in their last half of pregnancy
- Infants
- Using Solodyn (minocycline) for a long period of time
- Decreased effectiveness of oral birth control pills
- Using oral birth control pills
- New infection
- Using Solodyn (minocycline) for a long period of time
- Sunburn
- Harm to fetus (unborn baby)
- Women who can potentially or want to become pregnant
- Pregnant women