Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs azithromycin
Amoxicillin and azithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of azithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025).
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
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and azithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
How each works, in its label's words: Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Azithromycin, “Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]”
Half-life, in each label's words: Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”; Azithromycin, “Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic …”
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; azithromycin since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Azithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] |
| Half-life (label) | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1974 | November 1, 1991 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | November 14, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 59,712 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Azithromycin label, warnings and precautionsSome observational studies have shown an approximately two-fold increased short-term potential risk of acute cardiovascular death in adults exposed to azithromycin relative to other antibacterial drugs, including amoxicillin.
Azithromycin label, warnings and precautionsCardiovascular Death: Some observational studies have shown an approximately two-fold increased short-term potential risk of acute cardiovascular death in adults exposed to azithromycin relative to other antibacterial drugs, including amoxicillin.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amoxicillin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions