Compare doxycycline vs. Finacea
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats bacterial infections.
Vibramycin (doxycycline) is good for treating many bacterial infections, but can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight and make you more likely to get a sunburn or rash.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 112 reviewsfordoxycycline
Treats rosacea.
Finacea (azelaic acid) helps treat raised spots and pimple-like bumps that come from rosacea, but only provides slight redness improvement. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the redness from rosacea.
Upsides
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) is a good alternative for some types of bacterial infections for people who are allergic to penicillin.
- Available in generic.
- Available as a liquid for those who have trouble swallowing.
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) is safe for people age 65 or older and those who have kidney problems.
- Comes in both a gel and foam formulation.
- Studies show Finacea (azelaic acid) is effective at reducing raised spots and pimple-like bumps in mild to moderate rosacea.
- Is as effective as alternative medicines.
Downsides
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) can make some birth control less effective, so you may have to use barrier methods (like condoms) while on it.
- Vitamins, iron supplements, or antacids can't be taken at the same time as Vibramycin (doxycycline).
- Vibramycin (doxycycline) can cause severe diarrhea that is usually watery and bloody, as late as up to 2 months after finishing the medicine.
- Only available as a prescription.
- More expensive than alternative medicines. A generic option is not available. Your doctor may have you try a less expensive alternative medicine first.
- May not be the best option if you are looking to improve redness from rosacea.
- Causes more skin irritation than alternative medicines. Speak to your doctor if you already have very sensitive skin. An alternative medicine may be better for you.
Used for
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Skin infections
- Urinary tract infection
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Respiratory tract infection
- Postexposure prevention for anthrax inhalation
- Plague
- Acinetobacter infection
- Actinomycosis
- Amebiasis
- Anthrax
- Bartonella infection
- Brucellosis
- Chancroid
- Chlamydia
- Cholera
- Clostridial infection
- Listeriosis
- Malaria prevention
- Urethritis
- Psittacosis
- Q fever
- Relapsing fever
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Shigellosis
- Spotted fevers
- Tularemia postexposure
- Typhus group rickettsial disease
- Vincent's infection
- Yaws
- Typhoid fever
- Granuloma inguinale
- Campylobacter infection
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Delayed release pill
- Liquid
- Gel, foam
Price
Lowest price
$7.78
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$495.40
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Reviews
112 reviews so far
49%
saidit'sworth it
36%
saiditworked well
24%
saidit'sa big hassle
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Side effects
The Vibramycin (doxycycline) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
4possible side effects
- Burning/Stinging/Tingling28%
- Itching11%
- Scaling/Dry skin/Very dry skin8%
- Redness/Irritation3%
Risks and risk factors
- Color changes in teeth of young children and unborn babies
- Age 8 or younger
- Women in their last half of pregnancy
- Infants
- Severe diarrhea
- Using Vibramycin (doxycycline) for a long period of time
- Sunburn or rash
- Being in the sun for a long period of time
- Using tanning salons
- Harm to fetus (unborn baby)
- Women who can potentially or want to become pregnant
- Pregnant women
- Allergic reactions
- Loss of skin color
- Skin irritation
- Worsening of asthma
- Eye and mouth irritation