Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs clindamycin
Ciprofloxacin and clindamycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of clindamycin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) (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, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the clindamycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026).
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
Highlights of the clindamycin record
Clindamycin (Cleocin) · label of March 10, 2026
Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including clindamycin hydrochloride and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.
Used for
From the label: indicationsClindamycin is indicated in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible anaerobic bacteria. Clindamycin is also indicated in the treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci. Its use should be reserved for penicillin-allergic patients or other patients for whom, in the judgment of the physician, a penicillin is inappropriate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 22, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 60 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.137 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 24
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Clindamycin label of March 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and clindamycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and clindamycin a lincosamide antibacterial.
Half-life, in each label's words: Ciprofloxacin, “The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours.”; Clindamycin, “Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; clindamycin since 1982 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Clindamycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Lincosamide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. | Excretion The average biological half-life is 2.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 22, 1987 | February 22, 1970 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | February 8, 1982 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 60 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $0.137 per gram (Clindamycin ph 1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 24 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 8,968 |
| 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 ciprofloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions