Two medicines, side by side
Azithromycin vs erythromycin
Azithromycin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azithromycin since 1991 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
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 (Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azithromycin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: azithromycin since 2005; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azithromycin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 1, 1991 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 2005 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,712 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Azithromycin label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Patients with known hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide or ketolide drug. ( 4.1 ) Patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin.
Azithromycin label, contraindicationsHypersensitivity ZITHROMAX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide or ketolide drug.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to azithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions