Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs ofloxacin
Levofloxacin and ofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of ofloxacin since 1990. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet 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, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the ofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 18, 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 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 (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Ofloxacin label of July 18, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and ofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; ofloxacin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Ofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Quinolone 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 | December 28, 1990 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | January 16, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 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 levofloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions