Cefalexin vs Nitrofurantoin
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Nitrofurantoin was dispensed 4.6× as often as Cefalexin in March 2026 — 361,710 items versus 79,173 in England.
79,173items
Cefalexin · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
361,710items
Nitrofurantoin · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Cefalexin versus Nitrofurantoin: national items dispensed by month
▬ Cefalexin · ╌ Nitrofurantoin
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Cefalexin | Nitrofurantoin |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 79,173 | 361,710 |
| Items, last 12 months | 927,041 | 4,429,854 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £229,774 | £2,481,311 |
See the full profile for Cefalexin or Nitrofurantoin.