FDA pharmacologic class
Cephalosporins
18 medicines are in FDA's class of cephalosporin antibacterials (cephalosporins): cephalexin, cefdinir, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefazolin, cefadroxil, cefpodoxime, cefepime and 10 more; 3 combination products also contain one. 16 of the 21 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is cephalexin 500 mg capsule at $0.120 per capsule (NADAC).
Which medicines are cephalosporins?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin | none listed | 35 labelers | $0.120 per capsule 500 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 22 |
| Cefdinir | none listed | 26 labelers | $0.458 per capsule 300 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 11 |
| Ceftriaxone | none listed | 16 labelers | $1.44 per vial 1 g vial | No | No current entry | 20 |
| Cefuroxime | none listed | 19 labelers | $0.280 per tablet 250 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Cefazolin | none listed | 15 labelers | $1.07 per vial 1 g vial | No | No current entry | 10 |
| Cefadroxil | none listed | 19 labelers | $0.269 per capsule 500 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cefpodoxime | none listed | 11 labelers | $1.04 per tablet 100 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Cefepime | none listed | 8 labelers | n/a | No | A presentation being discontinued | 10 |
| Cefprozil | none listed | 7 labelers | $0.925 per tablet 500 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Cefoxitin | none listed | 5 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Cefixime | none listed | 6 labelers | $10.03 per capsule 400 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 8 |
| Ceftazidime | Tazicef | 3 labelers | $3.70 per vial 1 g vial | No | A presentation being discontinued | 1 |
| Cefotaxime | Claforan | 1 labeler | n/a | No | In shortage | 0 |
| Cefotetan | none listed | 2 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Ceftaroline | Teflaro | 1 labeler | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cefaclor | none listed | 4 labelers | $0.932 per capsule 250 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Avibactam and ceftazidime | Avycaz | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cefepime and zidebactam | Zaynich | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Cefiderocol | Fetroja | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Ceftobiprole medocaril | Zevtera | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Ceftolozane and tazobactam | Zerbaxa | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 1 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price