Two medicines, side by side
Cefadroxil vs amoxicillin
Cefadroxil and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Pharmacies paid $0.269 per cefadroxil 500 mg capsule and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefadroxil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 1, 2026); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the cefadroxil record
Cefadroxil · label of June 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefadroxil Capsules USP are indicated for the treatment of patients with infection caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the following diseases: Urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis, and Klebsiella species. Skin and skin structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.269 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefadroxil label of June 1, 2026, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefadroxil and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Generics: cefadroxil none approved; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefadroxil | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | none | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.269 per capsule (Cefadroxil 500 mg capsule) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,980 | 75,926 |
| 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 cefadroxil
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions