Two medicines, side by side
Linezolid vs cefpodoxime
Linezolid and cefpodoxime are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of linezolid since 2000 and of cefpodoxime since 1992. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per linezolid 600 mg tablet and $1.04 per cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and cefpodoxime a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026); the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026).
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 cefpodoxime record
Cefpodoxime (Vantin) · label of July 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefpodoxime proxetil is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions listed below. Recommended dosages, durations of therapy, and applicable patient populations vary among these infections. Please see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION for specific recommendations. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.04 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Linezolid label of June 19, 2026, Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do linezolid and cefpodoxime differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and cefpodoxime a cephalosporin antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Cefpodoxime, “Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Generics: linezolid since 2012; cefpodoxime since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Linezolid | Cefpodoxime | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | In subjects with mild impairment of renal function (50 to 80 mL/min creatinine clearance), the average plasma half-life of cefpodoxime was 3.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 18, 2000 | August 7, 1992 |
| First generic approved | June 27, 2012 | May 31, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 11 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 29,594 | 976 |
| 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