Cefalexin vs Nitrofurantoin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 4.5× as often as Cefalexin in May 2026 — 333,741 items versus 74,615 in England.
74,615items
Cefalexin · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
333,741items
Nitrofurantoin · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Cefalexin versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Cefalexin · ╌ Nitrofurantoin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Cefalexin | Nitrofurantoin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 74,615 | 333,741 |
| Items, last 12 months | 933,545 | 4,416,505 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £235,083 | £2,268,636 |
See the full profile for Cefalexin or Nitrofurantoin.