Two medicines, side by side
Cephalexin vs clindamycin
Cephalexin and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cephalexin since 1971 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.120 per cephalexin 500 mg capsule 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, cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cephalexin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 31, 2020); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026).
Highlights of the cephalexin record
Cephalexin (Keflex) · label of December 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible isolates of designated bacteria: Respiratory tract infection ( 1.1 ) Otitis media ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections ( 1.3 ) Bone infections ( 1.4 ) Genitourinary tract infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.120 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
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 (Cephalexin label of December 31, 2020, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cephalexin and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cephalexin since 1976; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cephalexin | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cephalexin is a cephalosporin 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) | January 4, 1971 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | April 26, 1976 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.120 per capsule (Cephalexin 500 mg capsule) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 22 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 21,515 | 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 cephalexin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions