Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs clarithromycin
Cefixime and clarithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of clarithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule and $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet (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 clarithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026).
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 clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and clarithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clarithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefixime, “Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Clarithromycin, “Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial 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 …”; Clarithromycin, “The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but …”
Generics: cefixime since 2004; clarithromycin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Clarithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial 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. | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 28, 1989 | October 31, 1991 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | May 25, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 26 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 34,134 |
| 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