Two medicines, side by side
Moxifloxacin vs erythromycin
Moxifloxacin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of moxifloxacin since 1999 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) and $1.96 per erythromycin 250 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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 erythromycin record
Erythromycin (Erythrocin) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTo reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of erythromycin tablets and other antibacterial drugs, erythromycin tablets 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
- June 25, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.96 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do moxifloxacin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Only the moxifloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: moxifloxacin since 2014; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Moxifloxacin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 10, 1999 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | February 18, 2014 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,168 | 18,956 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Moxifloxacin label, warnings and precautions… procainamide) or Class III (for example, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents Other drugs that prolong the QT interval such as cisapride, erythromycin, antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants Elderly patients using intravenous moxifloxacin may be more susceptible to drug-associated QT prolongation [see Use In Specific Populations ( 8.5 )].
Moxifloxacin label, warnings and precautionsPharmacokinetic studies between moxifloxacin and other drugs that prolong the QT interval such as cisapride, erythromycin, antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants have not been performed.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to moxifloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions