Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs tetracycline
Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of tetracycline since 1953. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $0.247 per tetracycline 250 mg capsule (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 tetracycline a tetracycline-class antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the tetracycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 18, 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 tetracycline record
Tetracycline (Achromycin) · label of March 18, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tetracycline hydrochloride and other antibacterial drugs, tetracycline hydrochloride should be used only to treat 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
- November 19, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.247 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Tetracycline label of March 18, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and tetracycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and tetracycline a tetracycline-class antimicrobial.
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; tetracycline since 1954 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Tetracycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Tetracycline-class 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 | November 19, 1953 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | September 17, 1954 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $0.247 per capsule (Tetracycline 250 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -65% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 767 |
| 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