Two medicines, side by side
Cefdinir vs levofloxacin
Cefdinir and levofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefdinir since 1997 and of levofloxacin since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.458 per cefdinir 300 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, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefdinir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2025); the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024).
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 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 (Cefdinir label of October 14, 2025, Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefdinir and levofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefdinir since 2006; levofloxacin since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefdinir | Levofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | 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) | December 4, 1997 | December 20, 1996 |
| First generic approved | May 19, 2006 | December 20, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 44 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.458 per capsule (Cefdinir 300 mg capsule) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.7% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,628 | 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 cefdinir
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions