Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs clarithromycin
Cefpodoxime and clarithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of clarithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet (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 clarithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 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 clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and clarithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clarithromycin 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.”; Clarithromycin, “Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial 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 …”; Clarithromycin, “The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but …”
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; clarithromycin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Clarithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| 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. | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial 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. | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | October 31, 1991 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | May 25, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 26 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 34,134 |
| 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