Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs nitrofurantoin
Cefixime and nitrofurantoin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of nitrofurantoin since 1953. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule and $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 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 nitrofurantoin a nitrofuran antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 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 nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and nitrofurantoin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and nitrofurantoin a nitrofuran antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefixime, “Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Nitrofurantoin, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials.”
Generics: cefixime since 2004; nitrofurantoin since 1970 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Nitrofurantoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Nitrofuran Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. |
| 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 | February 6, 1953 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | September 30, 1970 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 22,755 |
| 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