Tetracyclines are a genre of meds that come under broad-spectrum antibiotics. These meds derive their name due to the four (i.e., tetra) rings of hydrocarbon in their structure. These came into use in 1940s and soon gained popularity. Their chief function is to inhibit both gram-negative as well as gram-positive bacteria. These meds are known to stop the growth of microbes i.e., bacteriostatic meds; so, they do not kill infection-triggering bacteria. Minocycline and doxycycline are tetracycline antibiotics. On minocycline versus doxycycline – it is a useful to have more inputs.
Tetracyclines are administered to treat infections of the wind pipe and lungs, urinary tract, gastric system, etc. Caregivers use these meds for skin conditions like rosacea and acne. Here, you need to know that tetracyclines are more effective against aerobic bacterial strands. Efficacy of these meds on anaerobic bacteria is not very pronounced.
Tetracyclines can block the synthesis of proteins. These meds have a rare capability to turning effective against both bacterial and viral attacks. Once access to proteins is blocked, microbes find it tough to grow. As a result, their rate of multiplication comes down sizably. In this process, users get needful remedy from infections.
What is minocycline?
This is a tetracycline antibiotic known for its ability to treat a few types of pneumonia, joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and skin conditions like acne. This antibiotic is sold both as a liquid and also as pills. It was launched for public use in the early 1970s. Today, it is available as a generic formulation. It fares among the top 250 widely prescribed drugs in US.
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What is doxycycline?
This is also a tetracycline antibiotic, and is known for its broad-spectrum of treatment. Caregiving teams use this drug for treating cholera, chlamydia, acne, pneumonia caused by bacteria, syphilis, typhus – to name a few. As an extended use, doctors use it to prevent the onset of malarial infections. This antibiotic was first marketed in 1960s. You can get doxycycline as a generic med. In terms of prescriptions written, it has crossed 7 million and is ranked among top-100 highly prescribed medications in US.
Minocycline versus doxycycline
Both drugs belong to the same genre of meds called tetracycline antibiotics. One of the key points of minocycline versus doxycycline is the former has a half-life of nearly 18 hours, and latter’s half-life is ~ 23 hours. Minocycline was approved some 4 years later than doxycycline. This makes doxycycline an earlier entrant into the therapeutic market. In terms of timelines, doxycycline received its approval in the end of 1967; minocycline was approved during mid of 1971.
Doxycycline is mostly eliminated via feces (about 75%) and the rest is through kidneys. In case of minocycline, feces account for less than 20% of this drug’s elimination from your body with kidneys are responsible for about 11%.
Minocycline may trigger a few autoimmune conditions like vasculitis, hepatitis, lupus, etc. On the other hand, doxycycline may cause gastric side effects. Adverse effects caused in the GI tract by minocycline are not as acute as those triggered by doxycycline. Minocycline is more likely to cause autoimmune and hepatic conditions than doxycycline.
Both these meds are not taken as over the counter drugs. These are to be taken based on the supervision of a caregiver. It is highly recommended to inform your doctor of prior ailments like liver dysfunction prior to taking these antibiotics.
If you sense any severe side effects like inflammation of oral organs like tongue, lips or throat, inform your treating doctor of such undesired outcomes. If you live in US, you need to seek help from the food and drug administration (FDA). Those who live in Canada need to go to a local poison management cell. Lastly, you can get more details about doxycycline versus minocycline by talking to your caregiving team or pharmacist.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
