Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs amoxicillin
Cefuroxime and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the cefuroxime record
Cefuroxime (Zinacef) · label of April 29, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefuroxime axetil tablets are a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible bacteria: ( 1 ) Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.1 ) Acute bacterial otitis media (pediatric patients) ( 1.2 ) Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.3 ) Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (adults and […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.280 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 75,926 |
| 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 cefuroxime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions