Two medicines, side by side
Nitrofurantoin vs cefdinir
Nitrofurantoin and cefdinir are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nitrofurantoin since 1953 and of cefdinir since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule and $0.458 per cefdinir 300 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 cefdinir a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026); the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025).
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 cefdinir record
Cefdinir (Omnicef) · label of October 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 4, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.458 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026, Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nitrofurantoin and cefdinir differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and cefdinir a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Generics: nitrofurantoin since 1970; cefdinir since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nitrofurantoin | Cefdinir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Nitrofuran Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 6, 1953 | December 4, 1997 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 1970 | May 19, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 26 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +0.7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 22,755 | 7,628 |
| 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