Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs clindamycin
Cefpodoxime and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (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 clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
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 …”; Clindamycin, “Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours.”
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | n/a |
| 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. | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 8,968 |
| 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