Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs amoxicillin
Cefpodoxime and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the cefpodoxime record
Cefpodoxime (Vantin) · label of July 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefpodoxime proxetil is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions listed below. Recommended dosages, durations of therapy, and applicable patient populations vary among these infections. Please see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for specific recommendations. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.04 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefpodoxime, “Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Cefpodoxime, “In subjects with mild impairment of renal function (50 to 80 mL/min creatinine clearance), the average plasma half-life …”; Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | In subjects with mild impairment of renal function (50 to 80 mL/min creatinine clearance), the average plasma half-life of cefpodoxime was 3.5 hours. | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 75,926 |
| 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 cefpodoxime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions