Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs nitrofurantoin
Cefuroxime and nitrofurantoin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of nitrofurantoin since 1953. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet and $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule (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 nitrofurantoin a nitrofuran antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 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 nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and nitrofurantoin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and nitrofurantoin a nitrofuran antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Nitrofurantoin, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials.”
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; nitrofurantoin since 1970 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Nitrofurantoin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Nitrofuran Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 19, 1983 | February 6, 1953 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | September 30, 1970 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 22,755 |
| 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