Two medicines, side by side
Amikacin vs moxifloxacin
Amikacin and moxifloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amikacin since 2018 and of moxifloxacin since 1999. Pharmacies paid $2.33 per mL (Amikacin sulf 500 mg/2 mL vial) and $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amikacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 10, 2025); the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the amikacin record
Amikacin (Arikayce) · label of December 10, 2025
Patients treated with parenteral aminoglycosides should be under close clinical observation because of the potential ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity associated with their use. Safety for treatment periods which are longer than 14 days has not been established.
Used for
From the label: indicationsAmikacin Sulfate Injection is indicated in the short-term treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, species of indole-positive and indole-negative Proteus, Providencia species, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, and Acinetobacter ( Mima-Herellea ) species. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 28, 2018
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $2.33 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the moxifloxacin record
Moxifloxacin (Avelox) · label of March 17, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS andEXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS Fluoroquinolones, including moxifloxacin tablets, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], including: Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (
Used for
From the label: indicationsMoxifloxacin tablets are a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated for treating infections in adults 18 years of age and older caused by designated susceptible bacteria, in the conditions listed below: Community Acquired Pneumonia ( 1.1 ) Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Uncomplicated ( 1.2 ) and Complicated ( 1.3 ) Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.4 ) Plague ( 1.5 ) Acute Bacterial Sinusitis ( 1.6 ) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 10, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.60 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amikacin label of December 10, 2025, Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amikacin and moxifloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Half-life, in each label's words: Amikacin, “General Pharmacokinetic studies in normal adult subjects reveal the mean serum half-life to be slightly over 2 hours …”; Moxifloxacin, “The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: amikacin since 1981; moxifloxacin since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amikacin | Moxifloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | General Pharmacokinetic studies in normal adult subjects reveal the mean serum half-life to be slightly over 2 hours with a mean total apparent volume of distribution of 24 liters (28% of the body weight). | The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days with a 400 mg once daily regimen. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 28, 2018 | December 10, 1999 |
| First generic approved | January 22, 1981 | February 18, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $2.33 per mL (Amikacin sulf 500 mg/2 mL vial) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -23% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,617 | 20,168 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to amikacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions