Two medicines, side by side
Gentamicin vs ofloxacin
Gentamicin and ofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of gentamicin since 1970 and of ofloxacin since 1990. Pharmacies paid $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) 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. In FDA's classes, gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the gentamicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2024); the ofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 18, 2024).
Highlights of the gentamicin record
Gentamicin (Garamycin) · label of July 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsGentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 19, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.30 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
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 (Gentamicin label of July 22, 2024, Ofloxacin label of July 18, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do gentamicin and ofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Generics: gentamicin since 1966; ofloxacin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Gentamicin | Ofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial | Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 19, 1970 | December 28, 1990 |
| First generic approved | March 15, 1966 | January 16, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) | $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,709 | 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 gentamicin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions