Azithromycin vs Nitrofurantoin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 4.4× as often as Azithromycin in March 2026 — 361,710 items versus 82,539 in England.
82,539items
Azithromycin · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
361,710items
Nitrofurantoin · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Azithromycin versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Azithromycin · ╌ Nitrofurantoin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Azithromycin | Nitrofurantoin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 82,539 | 361,710 |
| Items, last 12 months | 928,359 | 4,429,854 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £399,699 | £2,481,311 |
See the full profile for Azithromycin or Nitrofurantoin.