Two medicines, side by side
Vancomycin vs amoxicillin
Vancomycin and amoxicillin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of vancomycin since 1986 and of amoxicillin since 1974. Pharmacies paid $1.33 per vancomycin HCl 125 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, vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 2024); the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024).
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
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 (Vancomycin label of June 7, 2024, Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do vancomycin and amoxicillin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibacterial and amoxicillin a penicillin-class antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Vancomycin, “Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Vancomycin, “The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function.”; Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”
Generics: vancomycin since 1964; amoxicillin since 1974 (Drugs@FDA).
| Vancomycin | Amoxicillin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Glycopeptide Antibacterial | Penicillin-class Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function. | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 15, 1986 | January 18, 1974 |
| First generic approved | November 6, 1964 | December 9, 1974 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 31 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.33 per capsule (Vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +4% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 49 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 65,529 | 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 vancomycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions