Two medicines, side by side
Moxifloxacin vs ofloxacin
Moxifloxacin and ofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of moxifloxacin since 1999 and of ofloxacin since 1990. Pharmacies paid $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) 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, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Check it at the source: the moxifloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 17, 2026); the ofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 18, 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 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 (Moxifloxacin label of March 17, 2026, Ofloxacin label of July 18, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do moxifloxacin and ofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial and ofloxacin a quinolone antimicrobial.
Only the moxifloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: moxifloxacin since 2014; ofloxacin since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Moxifloxacin | Ofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial | Quinolone 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 | December 28, 1990 |
| First generic approved | February 18, 2014 | January 16, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.60 per mL (Moxifloxacin 0.5% eye drops) | $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -23% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,168 | 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 moxifloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions