Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs clindamycin
Cefixime and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 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, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 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 (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
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 …”; Clindamycin, “Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours.”
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefixime since 2004; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | n/a |
| 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. | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 28, 1989 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 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 cefixime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions