Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs gentamicin
Ciprofloxacin and gentamicin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of gentamicin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) (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 gentamicin an aminoglycoside antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the gentamicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2024).
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 gentamicin record
Gentamicin (Garamycin) · label of July 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsGentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 19, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.30 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Gentamicin label of July 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and gentamicin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and gentamicin an aminoglycoside antibacterial.
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; gentamicin since 1966 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Gentamicin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Aminoglycoside 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 22, 1987 | June 19, 1970 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | March 15, 1966 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 15,709 |
| 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