Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs linezolid
Cefuroxime and linezolid are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of linezolid since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $1.44 per linezolid 600 mg tablet (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 linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 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 linezolid record
Linezolid (Zyvox) · label of June 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLinezolid injection is an oxazolidinone-class antibacterial indicated in adults and children for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria: Nosocomial pneumonia ( 1.1 ); Community-acquired pneumonia ( 1.2 ); Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections, without concomitant osteomyelitis ( 1.3 ); […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 18, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Linezolid label of June 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and linezolid differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; linezolid since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | April 18, 2000 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | June 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 29,594 |
| 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