Two medicines, side by side
Cefepime vs levofloxacin
Cefepime and levofloxacin are both labeled for urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefepime since 1996 and of levofloxacin since 1996. In FDA's classes, cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefepime FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 15, 2021); the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024).
Highlights of the cefepime record
Cefepime (Maxipime) · label of November 15, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefepime for Injection is a cephalosporin antibacterial indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: •Pneumonia. ( 1.1 ) •Empiric therapy for febrile neutropenic patients. ( 1.2 ) •Uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (including pyelonephritis). ( 1.3 ) •Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 18, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
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 (Cefepime label of November 15, 2021, Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefepime and levofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefepime, “Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Levofloxacin, “Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefepime since 2007; levofloxacin since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefepime | Levofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [ See Microbiology (12.4) ]. | 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) | January 18, 1996 | December 20, 1996 |
| First generic approved | June 18, 2007 | December 20, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 44 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 16,018 | 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 cefepime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions