Two medicines, side by side
Clarithromycin vs clindamycin
Clarithromycin and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clarithromycin since 1991 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet 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, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026).
Highlights of the clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
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 (Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clarithromycin and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Half-life, in each label's words: Clarithromycin, “The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but …”; Clindamycin, “Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours.”
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clarithromycin since 2004; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clarithromycin | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 31, 1991 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | May 25, 2004 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) | $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 | 3 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,134 | 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 clarithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions