Two medicines, side by side
Ceftriaxone vs vancomycin
Ceftriaxone and vancomycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ceftriaxone since 1984 and of vancomycin since 1986. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per ceftriaxone 1 g vial and $1.33 per vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule (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 vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ceftriaxone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 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 vancomycin record
Vancomycin (Vancocin Hydrochloride) · label of June 7, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients (neonates and older) for the treatment of: • Septicemia ( 1.1 ) • Infective Endocarditis ( 1.2 ) • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.3 ) • Bone Infections ( 1.4 ) • Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 15, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.33 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 49
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ceftriaxone label of February 4, 2026, Vancomycin label of June 7, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ceftriaxone and vancomycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Ceftriaxone, “Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Vancomycin, “Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Ceftriaxone, “Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time …”; Vancomycin, “The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function.”
Generics: ceftriaxone since 1987; vancomycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ceftriaxone | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Glycopeptide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| 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. | The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 21, 1984 | April 15, 1986 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 1987 | November 6, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per vial (Ceftriaxone 1 g vial) | $1.33 per capsule (Vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 49 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 38,242 | 65,529 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Ceftriaxone label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Vancomycin, amsacrine, aminoglycosides, and fluconazole are physically incompatible. ( 7.1 ) Calcium-containing products: precipitation can occur.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ceftriaxone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions