Two medicines, side by side
Ceftriaxone vs gentamicin
Ceftriaxone and gentamicin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ceftriaxone since 1984 and of gentamicin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per ceftriaxone 1 g vial and $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and gentamicin an aminoglycoside antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ceftriaxone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the gentamicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2024).
Highlights of the ceftriaxone record
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBefore instituting treatment with Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
Highlights of the gentamicin record
Gentamicin (Garamycin) · label of July 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsGentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 19, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.30 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ceftriaxone label of February 4, 2026, Gentamicin label of July 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ceftriaxone and gentamicin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and gentamicin an aminoglycoside antibacterial.
Generics: ceftriaxone since 1987; gentamicin since 1966 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ceftriaxone | Gentamicin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time intervals, a half-life of 25 hours was calculated. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 21, 1984 | June 19, 1970 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 1987 | March 15, 1966 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per vial (Ceftriaxone 1 g vial) | $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 38,242 | 15,709 |
| 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 ceftriaxone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions