Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs doxycycline
Ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 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). Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
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 doxycycline record
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) · label of July 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline capsules and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 83 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.118 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Half-life, in each label's words: Ciprofloxacin, “The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours.”; Doxycycline, “1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum …”
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| 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. | 1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum Concentration 2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) Elimination Rate Constant 0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) Half-Life 16.33 hr (± … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 22, 1987 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 69,571 |
| 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