Two medicines, side by side
Amoxicillin vs levofloxacin
Amoxicillin and levofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amoxicillin since 1974 and of levofloxacin since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0788 per amoxicillin 500 mg capsule and $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the amoxicillin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 22, 2024); the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024).
Highlights of the amoxicillin record
Amoxicillin (Amoxil) · label of February 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsAdults and Pediatric Patients • Upper Respiratory Tract Infections of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Amoxicillin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible (ONLY β-lactamase–negative) isolates of Streptococcus species. (α- and β-hemolytic isolates only), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp. , or Haemophilus influenzae. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0788 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Highlights of the levofloxacin record
Levofloxacin (Levaquin) · label of July 10, 2024
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsLevofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated ( 1 , 12.4 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 20, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 44 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.259 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amoxicillin label of February 22, 2024, Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amoxicillin and levofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Amoxicillin, “Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Levofloxacin, “Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Amoxicillin, “Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes.”; Levofloxacin, “The mean terminal plasma elimination half-life of levofloxacin ranges from approximately 6 to 8 hours following single …”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amoxicillin since 1974; levofloxacin since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amoxicillin | Levofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Penicillin-class Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | Metabolism and Excretion The half-life of amoxicillin is 61.3 minutes. | The mean terminal plasma elimination half-life of levofloxacin ranges from approximately 6 to 8 hours following single or multiple doses of levofloxacin given orally or intravenously. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 18, 1974 | December 20, 1996 |
| First generic approved | December 9, 1974 | December 20, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 44 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0788 per capsule (Amoxicillin 500 mg capsule) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 75,926 | 59,954 |
| 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 amoxicillin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions