Two medicines, side by side
Nitrofurantoin vs cefpodoxime
Nitrofurantoin and cefpodoxime are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nitrofurantoin since 1953 and of cefpodoxime since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule 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, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and cefpodoxime a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026); the cefpodoxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 30, 2026).
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 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 (Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026, Cefpodoxime label of July 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nitrofurantoin and cefpodoxime differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and cefpodoxime a cephalosporin 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.”; Cefpodoxime, “Mechanism of Action Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”
Generics: nitrofurantoin since 1970; cefpodoxime since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nitrofurantoin | Cefpodoxime | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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) | February 6, 1953 | August 7, 1992 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 1970 | May 31, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 11 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) | $1.04 per tablet (Cefpodoxime 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 22,755 | 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 nitrofurantoin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions