Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs cefazolin
Cefuroxime and cefazolin are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of cefazolin since 1973. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $1.07 per cefazolin 1 g vial (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Cefazolin, “Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the cefazolin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2026).
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 cefazolin record
Cefazolin (Ancef) · label of May 14, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefazolin for Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of the following serious infections due to susceptible organisms: Respiratory Tract Infections: Due to S. pneumoniae, Klebsiella species, H. influenzae, S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant), and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 4, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 15 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.07 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Cefazolin label of May 14, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and cefazolin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Cefazolin, “Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; cefazolin since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Cefazolin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Mechanism of Action Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The serum half-life for Cefazolin for Injection is approximately 1.8 hours following IV administration and approximately 2 hours following IM administration. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | October 4, 1973 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | November 2, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 15 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $1.07 per vial (Cefazolin 1 g vial) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 11,982 |
| 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