Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs cefdinir
Cefuroxime and cefdinir are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of cefdinir since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $0.458 per cefdinir 300 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025).
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 cefdinir record
Cefdinir (Omnicef) · label of October 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir capsules 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 4, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.458 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and cefdinir differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class cephalosporin antibacterials.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; cefdinir since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Cefdinir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | December 4, 1997 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | May 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 26 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +0.7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 7,628 |
| 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