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Cipro HC Coupon - Cipro HC 10ml of 0.2%/1% ear dropper

Cipro HC

ciprofloxacin / hydrocortisone
Used for Ear Infection
Used for Ear Infection

Cipro HC is a combination otic (ear drop) suspension containing ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic) and prednisone (a corticosteroid). It's used to treat outer ear infections, also known as swimmer's ear, in adults and children ages 1 year and older. The dosage is 3 drops placed into the affected ear(s) twice per day for 7 days. Side effects aren't common, but can include headache and itching.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 19, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Cipro HC?

What is Cipro HC used for?

  • Outer ear canal infections (swimmer's ear or otitis externa) in people age 1 year and older

How Cipro HC works

Cipro HC is a combination of two medications:

  • Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by blocking a protein that bacteria need to grow, repair their DNA, and survive.

  • Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that helps to lower inflammation. When used directly in the ear, it helps treat itching, swelling, redness, and pain in the ear.

Are you looking for information on Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone) or Otovel (ciprofloxacin / fluocinolone) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsCipro HC
Drug ClassFluoroquinolone antibiotic / Corticosteroid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$442.23(save 20.15%)
GoodRx discount
$353.12
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basics-icon

What are the side effects of Cipro HC?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (1%)

Other Side Effects

  • Itching
  • Dizziness
  • Blocked or clogged ears
  • Hearing changes

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fast heartbeat

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

cracked, dry, or scaly skin

hives or welts

itching

redness of the skin

skin rash

swelling

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Headache

Incidence not known

Cough

hair loss or thinning of hair

headache, severe and throbbing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Cipro HC

thumbs-up

Pros

Combines two medications into a single ear drop

Works well to treat outer ear infections

Safe for people with a penicillin allergy or sulfa allergy

Safe children as young as 1 year old

thumbs-down

Cons

Need to use twice a day

Can be difficult for some people to administer correctly

Dropper cap contains latex, which can be a problem for anyone with a latex allergy

Can only treat ear infections caused by bacteria, not infections caused by fungi or viruses

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Cipro HC

pharmacist

  • Finish your treatment course and take Cipro HC exactly as prescribed. Never change your dose or stop treatment early, even if your ear symptoms get better. Stopping the medication too soon can cause your infection to come back and become harder to treat.

    • Cipro HC can cause allergic reactions. If you experience symptoms such as a rash, hives, trouble breathing, or swelling, let your prescriber know right away. You might need to stop the medication and switch to something else.

      • Let your prescriber know if you're pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Cipro HC. It's not completely known how safe this medication is during pregnancy, and it's not known if it passes into breast milk. Your prescriber can discuss the risks and benefits of using it.

        • Store the Cipro HC ear drops at room temperature.

          • Throw away any unused Cipro HC after you finish your course of treatment.

            How to use Cipro HC:

            • Wash your hands before and after putting Cipro HC in your ears. Avoid letting the dropper tip touch your ear, hands, or any other surface to keep the ear drops from getting contaminated with germs.

              • Warm up Cipro HC by rolling the bottle between your hands for 1 to 2 minutes. This can prevent dizziness that you might have if you put cold ear drops in your ear.

                • Shake the bottle well right before using Cipro HC. This makes sure the medication hasn't settled at the bottom.

                  • Lie down on your side and keep the affected ear upward. Then, squeeze 3 drops of Cipro HC into the ear. Stay with the affected ear up for about 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the medication to reach deep into your ear. If both ears are infected, repeat this process on the other side.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Cipro HC

                    How long does it take for Cipro HC to work?
                    In general, it takes about 1 to 3 days to feel better after starting an antibiotic. But, even if you feel better, you still need to use Cipro HC for the full time it was prescribed to make sure it can completely fight off the infection. Talk to your prescriber if your ear infection symptoms, such as ear pain, trouble hearing, and fever don't get better after a week. They might consider a different treatment for you.
                    What's the difference between Cipro HC and Ciprodex?
                    Cipro HC and Ciprodex are both combination ear drops containing ciprofloxacin and a corticosteroid. Cipro HC contains hydrocortisone, whereas Ciprodex contains dexamethasone. Though both are used to treat outer ear infections, they haven't been directly compared so it's not known which works better. Ciprodex is also approved to treat middle ear infections . In addition, the age cut-offs slightly differ: Cipro HC is approved for children age 1 year and older, while Ciprodex is approved for children as young as 6 months. Speak with your prescriber to learn about the differences between these medications.
                    Can Cipro HC otic drops expire?
                    Yes, Cipro HC can expire. There's an expiration date that's typically printed on the medication box and bottle. Don't use Cipro HC past its expiration date because it might not work well to help treat your ear infection. Using expired medication can lead to new infections if it has been contaminated with germs.
                    Can I use Cipro HC for eye infections?
                    No. ear drops like Cipro HC shouldn't ever be used in the eyes because it's not safe. If you accidentally put Cipro HC in your eyes, rinse them with room temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes. If you still feel pain, get medical help. Always follow your prescriber's instructions on how to use this medication to treat your infection.
                    Is there a generic for Cipro HC?
                    No, there isn't an available generic for Cipro HC.
                    Is Cipro HC over the counter?
                    No, Cipro HC is only available by prescription from a healthcare professional.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Cipro HC?

                    Cipro HC can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Severe allergic reactions

                    • Risk factors: Latex allergy

                      Severe allergic reactions to Cipro HC are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Let your provider know if you have a latex allergy because the dropper cap contains latex. If you notice hives, rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using Cipro HC, get medical attention right away.

                      risk-warning

                      Development of new infection

                      Using Cipro HC might allow bacteria or fungi that it doesn’t target to overgrow in the ear. If your ear infection doesn’t improve after a week, contact your prescriber for follow-up. You might need additional testing or treatment.

                      risk-warning

                      Use only in the ear

                      Cipro HC is only for use in your ears and shouldn’t be used any other way. If you think this medication isn’t the right fit for you or find it difficult to use properly, talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about other options.

                      dosage

                      Cipro HC dosage forms

                      The average cost for 1 ear dropper of 10ml of 0.2%/1% of Cipro HC is $353.12 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 20.15% off the average retail price of $442.23.
                      ear dropper
                      Ear dropper
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      10ml of 0.2%/1%1 ear dropper$353.12$353.12

                      Typical dosing for Cipro HC

                      Cipro HC contains 0.2% of ciprofloxacin and 1% of hydrocortisone.

                      The typical dose is 3 drops into the affected ear(s) two times per day for 7 days.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Cipro HC and other drugs

                      Cipro HC may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Cipro HC. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      drug-cost

                      How much does Cipro HC cost?

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                      Cipro HC (brand)
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                      contraindications-icon

                      Cipro HC contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cipro HC will not be safe for you to take.

                      • Allergy to quinolones antibiotics or any other ingredients in this medication

                      • Ear infections caused by a virus, such as herpes simplex infections, or fungus

                      • Tear in the eardrum

                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Cipro HC?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Cipro HC. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Cipro HC
                      Used for:

                      • Outer ear canal infections (swimmer's ear or otitis externa) in people age 1 year and older

                      $353.12 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone)
                      Used for:

                      • Middle ear infections (otitis media) in children ages 6 months and older with surgically-placed ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes)

                      • Outer ear canal infections (swimmer's ear or otitis externa) in people 6 months and older

                      $63.27 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Ofloxacin ear drops
                      Used for:
                      $18.88 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      images

                      Cipro HC images

                      white - CIPRO HC 0.2%-1% Otic Suspension
                      This medicine is White Ear Dropper.white - CIPRO HC 0.2%-1% Otic Suspension

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                      References

                      Best study we found

                      Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (2023). CIPRO HC- ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone suspension/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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