Two medicines, side by side
Ofloxacin vs erythromycin
Ofloxacin and erythromycin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ofloxacin since 1990 and of erythromycin since 1964. Pharmacies paid $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% 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, ofloxacin is a quinolone antimicrobial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Check it at the source: the ofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 18, 2024); the erythromycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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
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 (Ofloxacin label of July 18, 2024, Erythromycin label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ofloxacin and erythromycin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ofloxacin is a quinolone antimicrobial and erythromycin a macrolide.
Generics: ofloxacin since 2002; erythromycin since 1964 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ofloxacin | Erythromycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections | Bacterial infections, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | Quinolone Antimicrobial | Macrolide, Macrolide Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 1990 | June 25, 1964 |
| First generic approved | January 16, 2002 | June 24, 1964 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.24 per mL (Ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) | $1.96 per tablet (Erythromycin 250 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -23% | +12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,263 | 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to ofloxacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions