Two medicines, side by side
Cefepime vs ceftriaxone
Cefepime and ceftriaxone are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefepime since 1996 and of ceftriaxone since 1984. How each works, in its label's words: Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Ceftriaxone, “Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Check it at the source: the cefepime FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 15, 2021); the ceftriaxone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026).
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
Highlights of the ceftriaxone record
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBefore instituting treatment with Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefepime label of November 15, 2021, Ceftriaxone label of February 4, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefepime and ceftriaxone differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Ceftriaxone, “Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefepime since 2007; ceftriaxone since 1987 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefepime | Ceftriaxone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time intervals, a half-life of 25 hours was calculated. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1996 | December 21, 1984 |
| First generic approved | June 18, 2007 | April 30, 1987 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 16 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $1.44 per vial (Ceftriaxone 1 g vial) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 20 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 16,018 | 38,242 |
| 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 cefepime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions