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Ciprodex vs. Tobradex

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone) and TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) are both combination medications used to treat infections, but they target different areas of the body. Ciprodex is an ear drop used to treat bacterial ear infections in people 6 months and older, while TobraDex is an eye drop or ointment used to treat bacterial eye infections and inflammation. Ciprodex contains ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid. TobraDex contains tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, and dexamethasone. Ciprodex is typically used for 7 days, while TobraDex is used for 7 to 10 days but requires an eye exam if used for more than 10 days due to the risk of increased eye pressure. Both are available as lower-cost generic versions. Both medications should not be used for viral or fungal infections and have specific instructions for use to avoid contamination and ensure effectiveness.

Ciprodex

(ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone)

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TobraDex

(tobramycin / dexamethasone)

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Summary for Ciprodex

Prescription only

Ciprodex is an ear drop suspension that contains ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid). It's used to treat middle and outer ear infections in people ages 6 years and older. The dosage is 4 drops twice a day, typically for 7 days. Side effects aren't common, but include ear discomfort, ear pain, and changes in taste. It's available as both a brand name (Ciprodex) and generic.

Indications for Ciprodex

  • 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

Pros and Cons for Ciprodex

Pros

  • Combines two medications into a single ear drop
  • Generally only needs to be used for 7 days
  • Can be used in children as young as 6 months old

Cons

  • Need to use twice a day
  • Can be difficult for some people to administer correctly
  • Can only treat ear infections caused by bacteria, not infections caused by fungi or viruses

Common Side Effects for Ciprodex

  • Ear discomfort (3%)
  • Ear pain (2%)
  • Itchy ear (2%)

Warnings for Ciprodex

  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Development of new infection
  • Use only in the ear

Summary for Tobradex

Prescription only

TobraDex (tobramycin / dexamethasone) is available as eye drops and an eye ointment. It's used to treat and relieve bacterial eye infections. This medication contains tobramycin (an aminoglycoside antibiotic that helps fight the infection) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid that helps lower eye inflammation). Most people have few to no side effects from the medication when they use it as directed. But the medication can raise your eye pressure if you use it for more than 10 days.

Indications for Tobradex

  • Eye inflammation from a bacterial infection in the eye
  • Eye inflammation when there's a risk for a bacterial infection in the eye

Pros and Cons for Tobradex

Pros

  • Relieves eye inflammation and treats bacterial eye infection at the same time
  • Combines two medications into one eye product for convenience
  • Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
  • Is safe and work wells for children as young as 2 years old
  • Eye drops are available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Need to use multiple times a day
  • Must shake the eye drop bottle before each use, which can be easy to forget
  • Can cause eye irritation or allergic reactions for some people
  • Requires an eye exam after 10 days of use to check your eye pressure
  • Only treats some bacterial eye infections; it doesn't treat fungal or viral infections

Common Side Effects for Tobradex

  • Eye irritation
  • Eye redness
  • Itchy eyelids
  • Swollen eyelids

Warnings for Tobradex

  • Only use on the surface of the eye
  • Higher eye pressure
  • New or worsened eye infections
  • New eye problems (e.g., injury, cataracts)
  • Possible allergic reaction

Prices with our coupons for Ciprodex vs. Tobradex

Price Card Drug Icon
Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone1 ear dropper / 7.5ml of 0.3%/0.1%
$65.04$211.07
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Price Card Drug Icon
Tobramycin/Dexamethasone1 eye dropper / 5ml of 0.3%/0.1%
$28.07$50.26
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