Two medicines, side by side
Levofloxacin vs vancomycin
Levofloxacin and vancomycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of levofloxacin since 1996 and of vancomycin since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.259 per levofloxacin 750 mg tablet and $1.33 per vancomycin HCl 125 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 vancomycin a glycopeptide antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the levofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 2024); the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 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 vancomycin record
Vancomycin (Vancocin Hydrochloride) · label of June 7, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsVancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection is a glycopeptide antibacterial indicated in adult and pediatric patients (neonates and older) for the treatment of: • Septicemia ( 1.1 ) • Infective Endocarditis ( 1.2 ) • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.3 ) • Bone Infections ( 1.4 ) • Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ( 1.5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 15, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.33 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 49
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Levofloxacin label of July 10, 2024, Vancomycin label of June 7, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do levofloxacin and vancomycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and vancomycin a glycopeptide 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 )].”; Vancomycin, “Vancomycin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
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 …”; Vancomycin, “The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function.”
Only the levofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: levofloxacin since 2010; vancomycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Levofloxacin | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial | Glycopeptide Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | Levofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Vancomycin 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. | The mean elimination half-life of vancomycin from plasma is 4 to 6 hours in subjects with normal renal function. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 20, 1996 | April 15, 1986 |
| First generic approved | December 20, 2010 | November 6, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 44 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.259 per tablet (Levofloxacin 750 mg tablet) | $1.33 per capsule (Vancomycin HCl 125 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 49 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 59,954 | 65,529 |
| 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