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delafloxacin vs ofloxacin

Side-by-side comparison of delafloxacin and ofloxacin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
delafloxacin Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic
ofloxacin Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic
Type
delafloxacin Prescription
ofloxacin Prescription
Summary
delafloxacin

Baxdela is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat certain skin infections and pneumonia.

ofloxacin

Ofloxacin ear drops are an antibiotic medicine. They fight bacteria to treat ear infections.

What It Treats
delafloxacin

Baxdela treats acute bacterial skin infections and skin structure infections in adults. It can treat infections caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus, and others. Baxdela also treats community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults, caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and others.

ofloxacin

This medicine treats ear infections caused by certain bacteria. It can treat outer ear infections in adults and kids over 6 months old. It also treats middle ear infections with a hole in the eardrum in people 12 and older, and middle ear infections with ear tubes in kids 1 year and older.

How It Works
delafloxacin

Baxdela belongs to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. It works by stopping bacteria from multiplying. This helps your body fight off the infection.

ofloxacin

Ofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps to clear up the infection in your ear.

Common Side Effects
delafloxacin
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Changes in liver enzyme tests
  • Vomiting
ofloxacin
  • Application site reaction
  • Itching
  • Taste changes
FAERS Reports
delafloxacin

No adverse event reports.

ofloxacin
  • Drug not working 345
  • Eye pain 345
  • Using the drug for something it's not approved for 306
  • Headache 284
  • Pain 278
Serious Warnings
delafloxacin

Baxdela has a boxed warning. It can cause serious side effects like tendon problems, nerve damage, and central nervous system problems. It can also make muscle weakness worse if you have myasthenia gravis. Stop taking Baxdela right away if you have any of these side effects.

ofloxacin

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics, or any of the ingredients in the drops.

Pregnancy
delafloxacin

It is not known if Baxdela will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Baxdela passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Baxdela.

ofloxacin

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if ofloxacin ear drops will harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This delafloxacin vs ofloxacin Comparison

delafloxacin is classified in the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic drug class, while ofloxacin sits within the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, delafloxacin has 0 submissions while ofloxacin has 1,558. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between delafloxacin and ofloxacin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.