Comparing Biaxin vs Keflex

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Biaxin (clarithromycin)	Keflex (cephalexin)	Enter another drug to compare

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Biaxin (clarithromycin)	Keflex (cephalexin)	Enter another drug to compare
Prescription only Prescribed for Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention, Bronchitis, Dental Abscess, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Legionella Pneumonia, Middle Ear Infections, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare -... View more	Prescription only Keflex is a cephalosporin-type antibiotic that may be used in the treatment of gram-positive cocci infections. However, it should be used with caution in people with a penicillin allergy. Prescribed... View more	Related suggestions Skin or Soft Tissue Infection Cephalexin Doxycycline Clindamycin Amoxicillin Augmentin Amoxil Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media) Amoxicillin Amoxicillin / clavulanate Cefdinir Ciprodex Azithromycin Augmentin Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Doxycycline Azithromycin Amoxicillin Azithromycin Dose Pack Augmentin Cephalexin Pharyngitis Prednisone Azithromycin Cephalexin Azithromycin Dose Pack Clarithromycin Erythromycin
More about Biaxin (clarithromycin)	More about Keflex (cephalexin)
Ratings & Reviews
Biaxin has an average rating of 6.4 out of 10 from a total of 91 ratings on Drugs.com. 53% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 29% reported a negative effect.	Keflex has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 91 ratings on Drugs.com. 66% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 20% reported a negative effect.
View all 91 reviews	View all 91 reviews
Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.
Bad taste (18.7%) Metallic taste (16.5%) Diarrhea (9.9%) Insomnia (9.9%) Upset stomach (9.9%) Nausea (8.8%) Headaches (6.6%) View all Biaxin side effects	Nausea (14.3%) Diarrhea (9.9%) Headaches (8.8%) Upset stomach (7.7%) Dizziness (6.6%) Tiredness (5.5%) Depression (4.4%) View all Keflex side effects
Drug Class
Macrolides	First generation cephalosporins
Generic Availability
Lower cost generic approved	Lower cost generic approved
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.	We could not find an exact match for this medicine. Try searching the Price Guide directly.
Get free Discount Card	Get free Discount Card

Dosage Forms
Oral powder for reconstitution Oral tablet	Oral capsule
Brand Names
Other clarithromycin brands include: Biaxin XL	N/A
Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.
7 hours	1 hour
CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms
N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.	N Not a controlled drug Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
C Category C Risk cannot be ruled out See the full pregnancy warnings document.	B Category B No proven risk in humans See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions
A total of 722 drugs are known to interact with Biaxin: 279 major drug interactions (993 brand and generic names) 390 moderate drug interactions (1509 brand and generic names) 53 minor drug interactions (175 brand and generic names)	A total of 57 drugs are known to interact with Keflex: 6 major drug interactions (15 brand and generic names) 51 moderate drug interactions (1886 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.	No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Disease Interactions
Colitis Hepatotoxicity Renal dysfunction Myasthenia gravis QT prolongation	Colitis Renal dysfunction Diabetes Dialysis Liver disease Prolonged PT Seizure disorders
First Approval Date
October 31, 1991	January 04, 1971
WADA Class View classifications
N/A	N/A
More Information
Side effects Drug interactions Dosage Pregnancy warnings Breastfeeding warnings Drug images Support group	Side effects Drug interactions Dosage Pregnancy warnings Breastfeeding warnings Drug images Support group
Patient Resources
Biaxin uses Advanced reading	Keflex uses
Professional Resources
Prescribing information	Prescribing information
Related Treatment Guide
Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention Bronchitis Dental Abscess Helicobacter Pylori Infection Legionella Pneumonia Middle Ear Infections Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Prophylaxis Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare - Treatment Mycoplasma Pneumonia Nongonococcal Urethritis Pertussis Pertussis Prophylaxis Pharyngitis Pneumonia Sinusitis Skin and Structure Infection Skin or Soft Tissue Infection Strep Throat Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis Toxoplasmosis Upper Respiratory Tract Infection show all	Bladder Infection Bacterial Infection Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention Acne Bone infection Kidney Infections Middle Ear Infections Pharyngitis Prostatitis Skin or Soft Tissue Infection Upper Respiratory Tract Infection show all

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Comparing Biaxin vs Keflex

See also:

Gentamicin

Cefazolin

Ozempic

Erythromycin

Zithromax

Vancomycin

Keflex

Clindamycin

Ceftriaxone

Cephalexin

Further information

Comparing Biaxin vs Keflex

See also:

Further information

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