Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs cephalexin
Amoxicillin and cephalexin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of cephalexin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.120 per cephalexin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and cephalexin a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the cephalexin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 31, 2020).
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 cephalexin record
Cephalexin (Keflex) · label of December 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible isolates of designated bacteria: Respiratory tract infection ( 1.1 ) Otitis media ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections ( 1.3 ) Bone infections ( 1.4 ) Genitourinary tract infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.120 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Cephalexin label of December 31, 2020); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and cephalexin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and cephalexin a cephalosporin antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Cephalexin, “Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; cephalexin since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Cephalexin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| 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 | January 4, 1971 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | April 26, 1976 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $0.120 per capsule (Cephalexin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 22 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 21,515 |
| 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