Two medicines, side by side
Cefdinir vs cephalexin
Cefdinir and cephalexin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefdinir since 1997 and of cephalexin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $0.458 per cefdinir 300 mg capsule and $0.120 per cephalexin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025); the cephalexin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 31, 2020).
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 cephalexin record
Cephalexin (Keflex) · label of December 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible isolates of designated bacteria: Respiratory tract infection ( 1.1 ) Otitis media ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections ( 1.3 ) Bone infections ( 1.4 ) Genitourinary tract infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.120 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025, Cephalexin label of December 31, 2020); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefdinir and cephalexin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefdinir since 2006; cephalexin since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefdinir | Cephalexin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 4, 1997 | January 4, 1971 |
| First generic approved | May 19, 2006 | April 26, 1976 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) | $0.120 per capsule (Cephalexin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 22 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,628 | 21,515 |
| 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