Two medicines, side by side
Clindamycin vs erythromycin
Clindamycin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections and acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clindamycin since 1970 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) 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, clindamycin is a lincosamide antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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
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 (Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clindamycin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clindamycin is a lincosamide antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clindamycin since 1982; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clindamycin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acne | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Lincosamide Antibacterial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 22, 1970 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1982 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 24 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,968 | 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to clindamycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions