Two medicines, side by side
Cefprozil vs cefixime
Cefprozil and cefixime are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefprozil since 1991 and of cefixime since 1989. Pharmacies paid $0.925 per cefprozil 500 mg tablet and $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the cefprozil FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 5, 2024); the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
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 cefixime record
Cefixime (Suprax) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Otitis Media ( 1.2 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 28, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $10.03 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefprozil label of May 5, 2024, Cefixime label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefprozil and cefixime differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
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 …”; Cefixime, “The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may …”
Generics: cefprozil since 2005; cefixime since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefprozil | Cefixime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin 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. | The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may range up to 9 hours in some normal volunteers. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 1991 | April 28, 1989 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 2005 | February 12, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 7 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.925 per tablet (Cefprozil 500 mg tablet) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -0.6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 780 | 2,959 |
| 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