Two medicines, side by side
Cefuroxime vs ciprofloxacin
Cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cefuroxime since 1983 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.280 per cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet 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, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the cefuroxime FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 29, 2024); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the cefuroxime record
Cefuroxime (Zinacef) · label of April 29, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsCefuroxime axetil tablets are a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible bacteria: ( 1 ) Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.1 ) Acute bacterial otitis media (pediatric patients) ( 1.2 ) Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis (adults and pediatric patients) ( 1.3 ) Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (adults and […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.280 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
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 (Cefuroxime label of April 29, 2024, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Cefuroxime, “Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cefuroxime since 1986; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cefuroxime | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Cefuroxime axetil is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | 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) | October 19, 1983 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | January 10, 1986 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.280 per tablet (Cefuroxime axetil 250 mg tablet) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,670 | 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 cefuroxime
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions