Two medicines, side by side
Azithromycin vs moxifloxacin
Azithromycin and moxifloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azithromycin since 1991 and of moxifloxacin since 1999. Pharmacies paid $0.266 per azithromycin 250 mg tablet 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. Azithromycin's other strengths are brand-only: $98.51 per mL (Azasite 1% eye drops). In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the azithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025); the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the azithromycin record
Azithromycin (Zithromax) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzithromycin tablets are macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.266 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
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 (Azithromycin label of December 4, 2025, Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azithromycin and moxifloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, azithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Azithromycin, “Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]”; Moxifloxacin, “Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Azithromycin, “Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic …”; Moxifloxacin, “The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days …”
Only the moxifloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: azithromycin since 2005; moxifloxacin since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azithromycin | Moxifloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Azithromycin is a macrolide antibacterial drug. [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Plasma concentrations of azithromycin following single 500 mg oral and IV doses declined in a polyphasic pattern resulting in a mean apparent plasma clearance of 630 mL/min and terminal elimination half-life … | 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) | November 1, 1991 | December 10, 1999 |
| First generic approved | November 14, 2005 | February 18, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 55 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.266 per tablet (Azithromycin 250 mg tablet) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,712 | 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 azithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions