Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs cephalexin
Cefpodoxime and cephalexin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of cephalexin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.120 per cephalexin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. 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.”; Cephalexin, “Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the cephalexin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 31, 2020).
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 cephalexin record
Cephalexin (Keflex) · label of December 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible isolates of designated bacteria: Respiratory tract infection ( 1.1 ) Otitis media ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections ( 1.3 ) Bone infections ( 1.4 ) Genitourinary tract infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.120 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Cephalexin label of December 31, 2020); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and cephalexin differ on the record?
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.”; Cephalexin, “Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; cephalexin since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Cephalexin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Cephalexin is a cephalosporin 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | January 4, 1971 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | April 26, 1976 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.120 per capsule (Cephalexin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 22 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 21,515 |
| 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