Two medicines, side by side
Albuterol vs amoxicillin
Albuterol is labeled for asthma; amoxicillin for bacterial infections and acid reflux and ulcers. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of albuterol since 1981 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.288 per albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the albuterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the albuterol record
Albuterol (Ventolin) · label of April 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAlbuterol Inhalation Solution is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in patients 2 to 12 years of age with asthma (reversible obstructive airway disease).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 1, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 40 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.288 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- Resolved
- Recalls
- 20
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Albuterol label of April 30, 2026, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do albuterol and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, albuterol is a beta2-adrenergic agonist and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Generics: albuterol since 1989; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Albuterol | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 1, 1981 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | January 30, 1989 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 40 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.288 per tablet (Albuterol sulfate 2 mg tablet) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -38% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | Resolved | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 292,136 | 75,926 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to albuterol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions