Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs cefdinir
Amoxicillin and cefdinir are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of cefdinir since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.458 per cefdinir 300 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and cefdinir a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 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 cefdinir record
Cefdinir (Omnicef) · label of October 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 4, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.458 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and cefdinir differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and cefdinir a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; cefdinir since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Cefdinir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1974 | December 4, 1997 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | May 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 26 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +0.7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 7,628 |
| 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 amoxicillin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions