Two medicines, side by side
Cefadroxil vs cefixime
Cefadroxil and cefixime are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Pharmacies paid $0.269 per cefadroxil 500 mg capsule and $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the cefadroxil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 1, 2026); the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
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 cefixime record
Cefixime (Suprax) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Otitis Media ( 1.2 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 28, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $10.03 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefadroxil label of June 1, 2026, Cefixime label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefadroxil and cefixime differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefadroxil none approved; cefixime since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefadroxil | Cefixime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may range up to 9 hours in some normal volunteers. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | April 28, 1989 |
| First generic approved | none | February 12, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.269 per capsule (Cefadroxil 500 mg capsule) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -0.6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,980 | 2,959 |
| 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