Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs erythromycin
Cefuroxime and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets 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
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | June 24, 1964 |
| 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) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 18,956 |
| 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