Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs linezolid
Amoxicillin and linezolid are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of linezolid since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $1.44 per linezolid 600 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 linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 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 linezolid record
Linezolid (Zyvox) · label of June 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLinezolid injection is an oxazolidinone-class antibacterial indicated in adults and children for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria: Nosocomial pneumonia ( 1.1 ); Community-acquired pneumonia ( 1.2 ); Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections, without concomitant osteomyelitis ( 1.3 ); […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 18, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Linezolid label of June 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and linezolid differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; linezolid since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Linezolid is an 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 | April 18, 2000 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | June 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 29,594 |
| 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