Two medicines, side by side
Nitrofurantoin vs ciprofloxacin
Nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nitrofurantoin since 1953 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.165 per nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule 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). In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the nitrofurantoin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2026); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the nitrofurantoin record
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) · label of June 24, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsNitrofurantoin capsules (monohydrate/macrocrystals) are indicated only for the treatment of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis) caused by susceptible strains of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Nitrofurantoin is not indicated for the treatment of pyelonephritis or perinephric abscesses. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 6, 1953
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.165 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 13
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 (Nitrofurantoin label of June 24, 2026, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nitrofurantoin is a nitrofuran antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
How each works, in its label's words: Nitrofurantoin, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials.”; Ciprofloxacin, “Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: nitrofurantoin since 1970; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nitrofurantoin | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Nitrofuran Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antimicrobial action of nitrofurantoin is unusual among antibacterials. | Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )]. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The serum elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 6, 1953 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 1970 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.165 per capsule (Nitrofurantoin mcr 50 mg capsule) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 13 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 22,755 | 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 nitrofurantoin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions