Two medicines, side by side
Linezolid vs vancomycin
Linezolid and vancomycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of linezolid since 2000 and of vancomycin since 1986. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per linezolid 600 mg tablet and $1.33 per vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule (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 vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026); the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 2024).
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 vancomycin record
Vancomycin (Vancocin Hydrochloride) · label of June 7, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients (neonates and older) for the treatment of: • Septicemia ( 1.1 ) • Infective Endocarditis ( 1.2 ) • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.3 ) • Bone Infections ( 1.4 ) • Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 15, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.33 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 49
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Linezolid label of June 19, 2026, Vancomycin label of June 7, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do linezolid and vancomycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibacterial and vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Vancomycin, “Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Generics: linezolid since 2012; vancomycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Linezolid | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea |
| Pharmacologic class | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial | Glycopeptide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 18, 2000 | April 15, 1986 |
| First generic approved | June 27, 2012 | November 6, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) | $1.33 per capsule (Vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 49 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 29,594 | 65,529 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Linezolid label, warnings and precautionsImbalance in an Investigational Study in Patients With Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Including Those With Catheter-Site Infections An imbalance in mortality was seen in patients treated with linezolid relative to vancomycin/dicloxacillin/oxacillin in an open-label study in seriously ill patients with intravascular catheter-related infections [78/363 (21.5%) vs. 58/363 (16.0%); …
Linezolid label, warnings and precautionsInform patients of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome when ZYVOX is used concomitantly with serotonergic agents. 5.4 Mortality Imbalance in an Investigational Study in Patients with Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Including Those with Catheter-Site Infections An imbalance in mortality was seen in patients treated with linezolid relative to vancomycin/dicloxacillin/oxacillin in an open-label study in …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to linezolid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions