Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs ciprofloxacin
Cefpodoxime and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Ciprofloxacin's other strengths are brand-only: $1.25 per mL (Cipro 5% suspension). In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
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 ciprofloxacin record
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) · label of March 2, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Fluoroquinolones, including CIPRO ® , have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], including:
Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCIPRO is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with the following infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated: • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.1 ) • Bone and Joint Infections ( 1.2 ) • Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.3 ) • Infectious Diarrhea ( 1.4 ) • Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) ( 1.5 ) • […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 22, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 54 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.123 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone 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.”; Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [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 …”; Ciprofloxacin, “The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours.”
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [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. | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 96,726 |
| 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