Two medicines, side by side
Tobramycin vs ciprofloxacin
Tobramycin and ciprofloxacin are both labeled for bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tobramycin since 1975 and of ciprofloxacin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $1.08 per mL (Tobramycin 300 mg/5 mL ampule) 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, tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Check it at the source: the tobramycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 1, 2023); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the tobramycin record
Tobramycin (Tobi) · label of November 1, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsTobramycin ophthalmic solution, 0.3% is a topical antibiotic indicated in the treatment of external infections of the eye and its adnexa caused by susceptible bacteria. Appropriate monitoring of bacterial response to topical antibiotic therapy should accompany the use of tobramycin ophthalmic solution. Clinical studies have shown tobramycin to be safe and effective for use in children.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 11, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 40 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.08 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 8
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 (Tobramycin label of November 1, 2023, Ciprofloxacin label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tobramycin and ciprofloxacin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial and ciprofloxacin a fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Only the ciprofloxacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: tobramycin since 1976; ciprofloxacin since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tobramycin | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial | Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial, Quinolone Antimicrobial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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) | June 11, 1975 | October 22, 1987 |
| First generic approved | October 1, 1976 | March 16, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 40 labelers | 54 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.08 per mL (Tobramycin 300 mg/5 mL ampule) | $0.123 per tablet (Ciprofloxacin HCl 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 24,368 | 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 tobramycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions