Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs azithromycin
Cefpodoxime and azithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of azithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025).
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 azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and azithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
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.”; Azithromycin, “Azithromycin is a macrolide 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 …”; Azithromycin, “Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic …”
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; azithromycin since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Azithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Azithromycin is a macrolide 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. | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | November 1, 1991 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | November 14, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 59,712 |
| 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