Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs cephalexin
Levofloxacin and cephalexin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of cephalexin since 1971. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet and $0.120 per cephalexin 500 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and cephalexin a cephalosporin antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the cephalexin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 31, 2020).
Highlights of the levofloxacin record
Levofloxacin (Levaquin) · label of July 10, 2024
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsLevofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated ( 1 , 12.4 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 20, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 44 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.259 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 13
Highlights of the cephalexin record
Cephalexin (Keflex) · label of December 31, 2020
Used for
From the label: indicationsCephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible isolates of designated bacteria: Respiratory tract infection ( 1.1 ) Otitis media ( 1.2 ) Skin and skin structure infections ( 1.3 ) Bone infections ( 1.4 ) Genitourinary tract infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1971
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.120 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Cephalexin label of December 31, 2020); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and cephalexin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and cephalexin a cephalosporin antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Levofloxacin, “Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Cephalexin, “Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; cephalexin since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Cephalexin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean terminal plasma elimination half-life of levofloxacin ranges from approximately 6 to 8 hours following single or multiple doses of levofloxacin given orally or intravenously. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 20, 1996 | January 4, 1971 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | April 26, 1976 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $0.120 per capsule (Cephalexin 500 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 22 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 21,515 |
| 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 levofloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions