Two medicines, side by side
Clindamycin vs linezolid
Clindamycin and linezolid are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clindamycin since 1970 and of linezolid since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) and $1.44 per linezolid 600 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 linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026).
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 linezolid record
Linezolid (Zyvox) · label of June 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLinezolid injection is an oxazolidinone-class antibacterial indicated in adults and children for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria: Nosocomial pneumonia ( 1.1 ); Community-acquired pneumonia ( 1.2 ); Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections, without concomitant osteomyelitis ( 1.3 ); […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 18, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026, Linezolid label of June 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clindamycin and linezolid differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clindamycin is a lincosamide antibacterial and linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
Only the clindamycin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clindamycin since 1982; linezolid since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clindamycin | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acne | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Lincosamide Antibacterial | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 22, 1970 | April 18, 2000 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1982 | June 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 60 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 24 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,968 | 29,594 |
| 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