Two medicines, side by side
Clarithromycin vs moxifloxacin
Clarithromycin and moxifloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clarithromycin since 1991 and of moxifloxacin since 1999. Pharmacies paid $0.466 per clarithromycin 500 mg tablet and $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the clarithromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 9, 2026); the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026).
Highlights of the clarithromycin record
Clarithromycin (Biaxin) · label of April 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial indicated for mild to moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria in the following: Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis in Adults (1.1) Acute Maxillary Sinusitis (1.2) Community-Acquired Pneumonia (1.3) Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis (1.4) Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (1.5) Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients (1.6) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.466 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the moxifloxacin record
Moxifloxacin (Avelox) · label of March 17, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS andEXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS Fluoroquinolones, including moxifloxacin tablets, 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 (
Used for
From the label: indicationsMoxifloxacin tablets are a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated for treating infections in adults 18 years of age and older caused by designated susceptible bacteria, in the conditions listed below: Community Acquired Pneumonia ( 1.1 ) Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Uncomplicated ( 1.2 ) and Complicated ( 1.3 ) Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.4 ) Plague ( 1.5 ) Acute Bacterial Sinusitis ( 1.6 ) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 10, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.60 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clarithromycin label of April 9, 2026, Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clarithromycin and moxifloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial and moxifloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Clarithromycin, “Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”; Moxifloxacin, “Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Clarithromycin, “The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but …”; Moxifloxacin, “The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days …”
Only the moxifloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clarithromycin since 2004; moxifloxacin since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clarithromycin | Moxifloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Acid reflux and ulcers | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Macrolide Antimicrobial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clarithromycin was about 3 hours to 4 hours with 250 mg administered every 12 hours but increased to 5 hours to 7 hours with 500 mg administered every 8 hours to 12 hours. | The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days with a 400 mg once daily regimen. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 31, 1991 | December 10, 1999 |
| First generic approved | May 25, 2004 | February 18, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.466 per tablet (Clarithromycin 500 mg tablet) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,134 | 20,168 |
| 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 clarithromycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions