Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs amoxicillin
Cefixime and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the cefixime record
Cefixime (Suprax) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Otitis Media ( 1.2 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 28, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $10.03 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefixime, “Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Cefixime, “The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may …”; Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”
Generics: cefixime since 2004; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may range up to 9 hours in some normal volunteers. | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 28, 1989 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 75,926 |
| 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 cefixime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions