Two medicines, side by side
Cefazolin vs cefepime
Cefazolin and cefepime are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefazolin since 1973 and of cefepime since 1996. How each works, in its label's words: Cefazolin, “Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Check it at the source: the cefazolin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2026); the cefepime FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 15, 2021).
Highlights of the cefazolin record
Cefazolin (Ancef) · label of May 14, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefazolin for Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of the following serious infections due to susceptible organisms: Respiratory Tract Infections: Due to S. pneumoniae, Klebsiella species, H. influenzae, S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant), and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 4, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.07 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Highlights of the cefepime record
Cefepime (Maxipime) · label of November 15, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefepime for Injection is a cephalosporin antibacterial indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: •Pneumonia. ( 1.1 ) •Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients. ( 1.2 ) •Uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis). ( 1.3 ) •Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefazolin label of May 14, 2026, Cefepime label of November 15, 2021); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefazolin and cefepime differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Cefazolin, “Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefazolin since 1973; cefepime since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefazolin | Cefepime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | The serum half-life for Cefazolin for Injection is approximately 1.8 hours following IV administration and approximately 2 hours following IM administration. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 4, 1973 | January 18, 1996 |
| First generic approved | November 2, 1973 | June 18, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 15 labelers | 8 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.07 per vial (Cefazolin 1 g vial) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | +10% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 11,982 | 16,018 |
| 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 cefazolin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions