Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs erythromycin
Cefixime and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 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 erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets 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
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: cefixime since 2004; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 28, 1989 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | June 24, 1964 |
| 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) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 18,956 |
| 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