Two medicines, side by side
Cefdinir vs azithromycin
Cefdinir and azithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefdinir since 1997 and of azithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.458 per cefdinir 300 mg capsule and $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025); the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025).
Highlights of the cefdinir record
Cefdinir (Omnicef) · label of October 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir capsules 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
- December 4, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.458 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025, Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefdinir and azithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Generics: cefdinir since 2006; azithromycin since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefdinir | Azithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | 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 … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 4, 1997 | November 1, 1991 |
| First generic approved | May 19, 2006 | November 14, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,628 | 59,712 |
| 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 cefdinir
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions