Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs ofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of ofloxacin since 1990. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) (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 ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the ofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 18, 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 ofloxacin record
Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) · label of July 18, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsOfloxacin otic solution, 0.3% is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible isolates of the designated microorganisms in the specific conditions listed below: Otitis Externa in adults and pediatric patients, 6 months and older, due to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.24 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Ofloxacin label of July 18, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; ofloxacin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Ofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| 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 | December 28, 1990 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | January 16, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 7,263 |
| 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