Two medicines, side by side
Cefprozil vs azithromycin
Cefprozil and azithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefprozil since 1991 and of azithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.925 per cefprozil 500 mg tablet and $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, cefprozil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefprozil FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 5, 2024); the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025).
Highlights of the cefprozil record
Cefprozil (Cefzil) · label of May 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefprozil and other antibacterial drugs, cefprozil 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 23, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.925 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefprozil label of May 5, 2024, Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefprozil and azithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefprozil is a cephalosporin antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Half-life, in each label's words: Cefprozil, “The average plasma half-life in normal subjects was 1.3 hours, while the steady-state volume of distribution was …”; Azithromycin, “Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic …”
| Cefprozil | Azithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] |
| Half-life (label) | The average plasma half-life in normal subjects was 1.3 hours, while the steady-state volume of distribution was estimated to be 0.23 L/kg. | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 1991 | November 1, 1991 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 2005 | November 14, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 7 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.925 per tablet (Cefprozil 500 mg tablet) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 780 | 59,712 |
| 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 cefprozil
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions