Two medicines, side by side
Fosfomycin vs cefuroxime
Fosfomycin and cefuroxime are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fosfomycin since 1996 and of cefuroxime since 1983. Pharmacies paid $26.22 per unit (Fosfomycin 3 g sachet) and $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet (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 cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024).
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 cefuroxime record
Cefuroxime (Zinacef) · label of April 29, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefuroxime axetil tablets are a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible bacteria: ( 1 ) Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.1 ) Acute bacterial otitis media (pediatric patients) ( 1.2 ) Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.3 ) Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (adults and […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.280 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fosfomycin label of April 9, 2026, Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fosfomycin and cefuroxime differ on the record?
Generics: fosfomycin since 2020; cefuroxime since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fosfomycin | Cefuroxime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 19, 1996 | October 19, 1983 |
| First generic approved | October 6, 2020 | January 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $26.22 per unit (Fosfomycin 3 g sachet) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 598 | 15,670 |
| 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