Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs erythromycin
Amoxicillin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (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 erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets 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
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 18,956 |
| 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