Two medicines, side by side
Cefdinir vs ciprofloxacin
Cefdinir and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefdinir since 1997 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.458 per cefdinir 300 mg capsule and $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Ciprofloxacin's other strengths are brand-only: $1.25 per mL (Cipro 5% suspension). In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the cefdinir record
Cefdinir (Omnicef) · label of October 14, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefdinir capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cefdinir capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 4, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.458 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Highlights of the ciprofloxacin record
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) · label of March 2, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Fluoroquinolones, including CIPRO ® , 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 ( 5.3 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCIPRO is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with the following infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated: • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.1 ) • Bone and Joint Infections ( 1.2 ) • Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.3 ) • Infectious Diarrhea ( 1.4 ) • Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) ( 1.5 ) • […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 22, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 54 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.123 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefdinir and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefdinir since 2006; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefdinir | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 4, 1997 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | May 19, 2006 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,628 | 96,726 |
| 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 cefdinir
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions