Two medicines, side by side
Cefoxitin vs cefuroxime
Cefoxitin and cefuroxime are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefoxitin since 1978 and of cefuroxime since 1983. How each works, in its label's words: Cefoxitin, “Mechanism of Action Cefoxitin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Check it at the source: the cefoxitin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 11, 2024); the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024).
Highlights of the cefoxitin record
Cefoxitin (Mefoxin) · label of April 11, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTreatment Cefoxitin for Injection, USP is indicated for the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the diseases listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 18, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 5 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the cefuroxime record
Cefuroxime (Zinacef) · label of April 29, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefuroxime axetil tablets are a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible bacteria: ( 1 ) Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.1 ) Acute bacterial otitis media (pediatric patients) ( 1.2 ) Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.3 ) Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (adults and […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.280 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefoxitin label of April 11, 2024, Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefoxitin and cefuroxime differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Cefoxitin, “Mechanism of Action Cefoxitin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefoxitin since 1987; cefuroxime since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefoxitin | Cefuroxime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefoxitin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life after an intravenous dose is 41 to 59 minutes. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 18, 1978 | October 19, 1983 |
| First generic approved | January 8, 1987 | January 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 5 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,373 | 15,670 |
| 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 cefoxitin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions