Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs linezolid
Levofloxacin and linezolid are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of linezolid since 2000. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet and $1.44 per linezolid 600 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 linezolid an oxazolidinone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the linezolid FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 19, 2026).
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 linezolid record
Linezolid (Zyvox) · label of June 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLinezolid injection is an oxazolidinone-class antibacterial indicated in adults and children for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria: Nosocomial pneumonia ( 1.1 ); Community-acquired pneumonia ( 1.2 ); Complicated skin and skin structure infections, including diabetic foot infections, without concomitant osteomyelitis ( 1.3 ); […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 18, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.44 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Linezolid label of June 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and linezolid differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and linezolid an oxazolidinone 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 )].”; Linezolid, “Linezolid is an antibacterial drug [ see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; linezolid since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Linezolid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Oxazolidinone Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Linezolid is an 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 | April 18, 2000 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | June 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $1.44 per tablet (Linezolid 600 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 29,594 |
| 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