The Best Ear Infection Treatments: Antibiotics and OTC Medications
Many ear infections resolve on their own, but sometimes you’ll need medication. See the best ear infection treatments, including antibiotics and home remedies.
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.
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.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Cipro HC |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic / Corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Itching
- Dizziness
- Blocked or clogged ears
- Hearing changes
Cipro HC 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
The following Cipro HC side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- New or worsening ear pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Get your GoodRx coupon
$407.83
GoodRx discount
$104.65
Pros and cons of Cipro HC
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
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 for Cipro HC
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cipro HC dosage
The average cost for 1 ear dropper of 10ml of 0.2%/1% of Cipro HC is $104.65 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 74.34% off the average retail price of $407.83. 
Ear dropper
Ear dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 0.2%/1% | 1 ear dropper | $104.65 | $104.65 |
Typical dosage 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.
How much does Cipro HC cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
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
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.
News about Cipro HC
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