Two medicines, side by side
Cefixime vs moxifloxacin
Cefixime and moxifloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefixime since 1989 and of moxifloxacin since 1999. Pharmacies paid $10.03 per cefixime 400 mg capsule 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. In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefixime FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the cefixime record
Cefixime (Suprax) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated in the treatment of adults and pediatric patients six months and older with the following infections: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections ( 1.1 ) Otitis Media ( 1.2 ) Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis ( 1.3 ) Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis ( 1.4 ) Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) ( 1.5 ) Usage to Reduce Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 28, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $10.03 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
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 (Cefixime label of August 5, 2026, Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefixime and moxifloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefixime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefixime, “Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin 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: Cefixime, “The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may …”; 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: cefixime since 2004; moxifloxacin since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefixime | Moxifloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Cefixime is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The serum half-life of cefixime in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 3 to 4 hours but may range up to 9 hours in some normal volunteers. | 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) | April 28, 1989 | December 10, 1999 |
| First generic approved | February 12, 2004 | February 18, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $10.03 per capsule (Cefixime 400 mg capsule) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -0.6% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,959 | 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 cefixime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions