Two medicines, side by side
Ceftriaxone vs levofloxacin
Ceftriaxone and levofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ceftriaxone since 1984 and of levofloxacin since 1996. Pharmacies paid $1.44 per ceftriaxone 1 g vial 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, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ceftriaxone FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 4, 2026); the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024).
Highlights of the ceftriaxone record
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) · label of February 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBefore instituting treatment with Ceftriaxone for injection, USP, appropriate specimens should be obtained for isolation of the causative organism and for determination of its susceptibility to the drug. Therapy may be instituted prior to obtaining results of susceptibility testing. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per vial
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
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 (Ceftriaxone label of February 4, 2026, Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ceftriaxone and levofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibacterial and levofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Ceftriaxone, “Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.”; Levofloxacin, “Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Ceftriaxone, “Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time …”; Levofloxacin, “The mean terminal plasma elimination half-life of levofloxacin ranges from approximately 6 to 8 hours following single …”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ceftriaxone since 1987; levofloxacin since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ceftriaxone | Levofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Microbiology: Mechanism of Action Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | Based on middle ear fluid ceftriaxone concentrations in the 23 to 25 hour and the 46 to 50 hour sampling time intervals, a half-life of 25 hours was calculated. | 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 21, 1984 | December 20, 1996 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 1987 | December 20, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 44 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.44 per vial (Ceftriaxone 1 g vial) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 38,242 | 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 ceftriaxone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions