Two medicines, side by side
Ciprofloxacin vs vancomycin
Ciprofloxacin and vancomycin are both labeled for diarrhea and bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ciprofloxacin since 1987 and of vancomycin since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet and $1.33 per vancomycin HCl 125 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 vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 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 vancomycin record
Vancomycin (Vancocin Hydrochloride) · label of June 7, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients (neonates and older) for the treatment of: • Septicemia ( 1.1 ) • Infective Endocarditis ( 1.2 ) • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.3 ) • Bone Infections ( 1.4 ) • Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 15, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.33 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 49
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026, Vancomycin label of June 7, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ciprofloxacin and vancomycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Vancomycin, “Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Ciprofloxacin, “The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours.”; Vancomycin, “The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function.”
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ciprofloxacin since 2004; vancomycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ciprofloxacin | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Glycopeptide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. | The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 22, 1987 | April 15, 1986 |
| First generic approved | March 16, 2004 | November 6, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 54 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) | $1.33 per capsule (Vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 49 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 96,726 | 65,529 |
| 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