Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs clindamycin
Amoxicillin and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (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 clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Half-life, in each label's words: Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”; Clindamycin, “Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours.”
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Lincosamide 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. | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1974 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 8,968 |
| 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