Two medicines, side by side
Fosfomycin vs cefixime
Fosfomycin and cefixime are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fosfomycin since 1996 and of cefixime since 1989. Pharmacies paid $26.22 per unit (Fosfomycin 3 g sachet) and $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the fosfomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026); the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
Highlights of the fosfomycin record
Fosfomycin (Monurol) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsFosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution is indicated only for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) in women due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Fosfomycin tromethamine granules for oral solution is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscess. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 19, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $26.22 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the cefixime record
Cefixime (Suprax) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Otitis Media ( 1.2 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 28, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $10.03 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fosfomycin label of April 9, 2026, Cefixime label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fosfomycin and cefixime differ on the record?
Generics: fosfomycin since 2020; cefixime since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fosfomycin | Cefixime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may range up to 9 hours in some normal volunteers. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 19, 1996 | April 28, 1989 |
| First generic approved | October 6, 2020 | February 12, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 6 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $26.22 per unit (Fosfomycin 3 g sachet) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -0.6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 598 | 2,959 |
| 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 fosfomycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions