Two medicines, side by side
Nitrofurantoin vs amoxicillin
Nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nitrofurantoin since 1953 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule and $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
Highlights of the nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Nitrofurantoin, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials.”; Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Generics: nitrofurantoin since 1970; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nitrofurantoin | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Nitrofuran Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 6, 1953 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 1970 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 22,755 | 75,926 |
| 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 nitrofurantoin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions