Two medicines, side by side
Linezolid vs azithromycin
Linezolid and azithromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of linezolid since 2000 and of azithromycin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per linezolid 600 mg tablet and $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026); the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025).
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
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Linezolid label of June 19, 2026, Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do linezolid and azithromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and azithromycin a macrolide antimicrobial.
How each works, in its label's words: Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Azithromycin, “Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]”
Generics: linezolid since 2012; azithromycin since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Linezolid | Azithromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial | Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 18, 2000 | November 1, 1991 |
| First generic approved | June 27, 2012 | November 14, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 29,594 | 59,712 |
| 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 linezolid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions