Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs clindamycin
Cefuroxime and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (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 clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 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 clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 8,968 |
| 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