Two medicines, side by side
Cefpodoxime vs doxycycline
Cefpodoxime and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefpodoxime since 1992 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet and $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 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 doxycycline record
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) · label of July 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline capsules and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 83 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.118 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefpodoxime and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
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 …”; Doxycycline, “1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum …”
Generics: cefpodoxime since 2002; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefpodoxime | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| 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. | 1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum Concentration 2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) Elimination Rate Constant 0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) Half-Life 16.33 hr (± … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1992 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | May 31, 2002 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 976 | 69,571 |
| 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