Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs erythromycin
Levofloxacin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (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 erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets 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
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 20, 1996 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 18,956 |
| 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