Two medicines, side by side
Clarithromycin vs erythromycin
Clarithromycin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clarithromycin since 1991 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (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 erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clarithromycin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: clarithromycin since 2004; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clarithromycin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 31, 1991 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | May 25, 2004 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,134 | 18,956 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Clarithromycin label, contraindicationsClarithromycin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to clarithromycin, erythromycin, or any of the macrolide antibacterial drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Clarithromycin label, drug interactionsIn postmarketing experience, erythromycin has been reported to decrease the clearance of triazolam and midazolam, and thus, may increase the pharmacologic effect of these benzodiazepines.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clarithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions