Two medicines, side by side
Cefdinir vs clindamycin
Cefdinir and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefdinir since 1997 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.458 per cefdinir 300 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, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026).
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 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 (Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefdinir and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefdinir since 2006; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefdinir | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial 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) | December 4, 1997 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | May 19, 2006 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,628 | 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 cefdinir
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions