Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs clarithromycin
Amoxicillin and clarithromycin are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers and bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of clarithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and clarithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026).
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 clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and clarithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and clarithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
How each works, in its label's words: Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Clarithromycin, “Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial 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.”; Clarithromycin, “The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but …”
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; clarithromycin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Clarithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1974 | October 31, 1991 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | May 25, 2004 |
| 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) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 34,134 |
| 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