Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs doxycycline
Levofloxacin and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet and $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
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 doxycycline record
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) · label of July 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline capsules and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline capsules should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 83 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.118 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Half-life, in each label's words: Levofloxacin, “The mean terminal plasma elimination half-life of levofloxacin ranges from approximately 6 to 8 hours following single …”; Doxycycline, “1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum …”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | n/a |
| 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. | 1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum Concentration 2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) Elimination Rate Constant 0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) Half-Life 16.33 hr (± … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 20, 1996 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 69,571 |
| 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