Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs metronidazole
Cefuroxime and metronidazole are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of metronidazole since 1963. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $0.102 per metronidazole 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Metronidazole's other strengths are brand-only: $2.60 per mL (Likmez 500 mg/5 mL suspension). In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and metronidazole a nitroimidazole antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the metronidazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 3, 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 metronidazole record
Metronidazole (Flagyl) · label of September 3, 2024
Metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and rats (see PRECAUTIONS ). Unnecessary use of the drug should be avoided. Its use should be reserved for the conditions described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section below.
Used for
From the label: indicationsSymptomatic Trichomoniasis. Metronidazole tablets are indicated for the treatment of T. vaginalis infection in females and males when the presence of the trichomonad has been confirmed by appropriate laboratory procedures (wet smears and/or cultures). Asymptomatic Trichomoniasis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 18, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Metronidazole label of September 3, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and metronidazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and metronidazole a nitroimidazole antimicrobial.
Only the metronidazole label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; metronidazole since 1984 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Metronidazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The elimination half-life, measured during the first 3 days of life, was inversely related to gestational age. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | July 18, 1963 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | December 6, 1984 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.102 per tablet (Metronidazole 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 63,553 |
| 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