Two medicines, side by side
Moxifloxacin vs ciprofloxacin
Moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of moxifloxacin since 1999 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) and $0.123 per ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Ciprofloxacin's other strengths are brand-only: $1.25 per mL (Cipro 5% suspension). How each works, in its label's words: Moxifloxacin, “Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Check it at the source: the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the moxifloxacin record
Moxifloxacin (Avelox) · label of March 17, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS andEXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS Fluoroquinolones, including moxifloxacin tablets, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], including: Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (
Used for
From the label: indicationsMoxifloxacin tablets are a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated for treating infections in adults 18 years of age and older caused by designated susceptible bacteria, in the conditions listed below: Community Acquired Pneumonia ( 1.1 ) Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Uncomplicated ( 1.2 ) and Complicated ( 1.3 ) Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.4 ) Plague ( 1.5 ) Acute Bacterial Sinusitis ( 1.6 ) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 10, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.60 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Highlights of the ciprofloxacin record
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) · label of March 2, 2026
SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Fluoroquinolones, including CIPRO ® , have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], including:
Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCIPRO is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with the following infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated: • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( 1.1 ) • Bone and Joint Infections ( 1.2 ) • Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( 1.3 ) • Infectious Diarrhea ( 1.4 ) • Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) ( 1.5 ) • […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 22, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 54 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.123 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Moxifloxacin, “Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Both are in FDA's class fluoroquinolone antibacterials.
Half-life, in each label's words: Moxifloxacin, “The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days …”; Ciprofloxacin, “The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: moxifloxacin since 2014; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Moxifloxacin | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean (± SD) elimination half-life from plasma is 12 ± 1.3 hours; steady-state is achieved after at least three days with a 400 mg once daily regimen. | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 10, 1999 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | February 18, 2014 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,168 | 96,726 |
| 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 moxifloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions