Two medicines, side by side
Moxifloxacin vs doxycycline
Moxifloxacin and doxycycline are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of moxifloxacin since 1999 and of doxycycline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) and $0.118 per doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Doxycycline's other strengths are brand-only: $18.18 per Doryx mpc DR 60 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
Check it at the source: the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026); the doxycycline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2025).
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 doxycycline record
Doxycycline (Vibramycin) · label of July 25, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of doxycycline capsules and other antibacterial drugs, doxycycline capsules 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
- December 5, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 83 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.118 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 19
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026, Doxycycline label of July 25, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do moxifloxacin and doxycycline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and doxycycline a tetracycline-class drug.
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 …”; Doxycycline, “1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum …”
Only the moxifloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: moxifloxacin since 2014; doxycycline since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Moxifloxacin | Doxycycline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Tetracycline-class Drug |
| How it works (label) | Moxifloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. | n/a |
| 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. | 1.62 0.95 0.37 0.15 (μg/mL) Average Observed Values Maximum Concentration 3.61 μg/mL (± 0.9 sd) Time of Maximum Concentration 2.60 hr (± 1.10 sd) Elimination Rate Constant 0.049 per hr (± 0.030 sd) Half-Life 16.33 hr (± … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 10, 1999 | December 5, 1967 |
| First generic approved | February 18, 2014 | June 18, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 83 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) | $0.118 per tablet (Doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 19 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,168 | 69,571 |
| 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