Best treatments for abscess
11 products may treat abscess, spanning FDA drug classes such as cephalosporin antibacterial, nitroimidazole antimicrobial. The current highest-rated option is cefotan. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 11 drugs we list for abscess, 9 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as cephalosporin antibacterial, nitroimidazole antimicrobial. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for abscess — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Top-rated picks for abscess: 1. Cefotan · 2. Vandazole · 3. Cefoxitin
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 56/100 | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Suspension | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial | Generic | $0 | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: nitroimidazole antimicrobial · cephalosporin antibacterial
Full ranking · 11 treatments
cefotan
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cefotan (Cefotetan Disodium) is a cephalosporin antibacterial used to treat Abscess, Bacteroides Infections, Human Bites, Infectious Bone Diseases.
Price varies
vandazole
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vandazole (Metronidazole) is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial used to treat Abscess, Amebiasis, Bacteroides Infections, Bacterial Endocarditis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.08· 5 formscefoxitin
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cefoxitin (Cefoxitin Sodium) is a cephalosporin antibacterial used to treat Abscess, Bacteroides Infections, Infectious Bone Diseases, Clostridium Infections.
Price varies
flagyl i.v. rtu in plastic container
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Flagyl I.V. Rtu in Plastic Container (Metronidazole) is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial used to treat Abscess, Amebiasis, Bacteroides Infections, Bacterial Endocarditis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.08· 5 formslikmez
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Likmez (Metronidazole) is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial used to treat Abscess, Amebiasis, Bacteroides Infections, Bacterial Endocarditis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.08· 5 formsmetrocream
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Metrocream (Metronidazole) is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial used to treat Abscess, Amebiasis, Bacteroides Infections, Bacterial Endocarditis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.08· 5 formsFrequently asked
- What treats abscess?
- Our catalog lists 11 products that may treat abscess, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is cefotan.
- What is the best-rated treatment for abscess?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — cefotan ranks highest among the products we list for abscess. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat abscess?
- Treatments for abscess span FDA drug classes including cephalosporin antibacterial, nitroimidazole antimicrobial. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.