Two medicines, side by side
Cefadroxil vs clindamycin
Cefadroxil and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Pharmacies paid $0.269 per cefadroxil 500 mg capsule and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefadroxil FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 1, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefadroxil label of June 1, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefadroxil and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefadroxil none approved; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefadroxil | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | none | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.269 per capsule (Cefadroxil 500 mg capsule) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,980 | 8,968 |
| 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