ofloxacin
Ofloxacin is a prescription otic medication, or ear drop. It's a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that's used to treat different types of ear infections, such as swimmer's ear and middle ear infection, in adults and children. This medication is given as 5 or 10 drops into the infected ear once or twice a day for 7 or 14 days, depending on your age and the type of ear infection you have. The most common side effect is ear discomfort from applying the drops.
What is Ofloxacin ear drops?
What is Ofloxacin ear drops used for?
- Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 6 months and older
- Middle ear infections in children ages 1 year and older with ear tubes
- Long-term middle ear infections in people ages 12 years and older with burst eardrums
How Ofloxacin ear drops works
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic. It works by blocking certain enzymes (proteins) that bacteria use to grow, repair their genetic material (DNA), and survive. By blocking this process, ofloxacin ear drops kills bacteria.
Drug facts
Side effects of Ofloxacin ear drops
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
- Pain or irritation where the medication touches the ear (up to 17%)
- Itching (up to 4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Earache
- "Pins and needles" sensation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Rash
- Bitter taste (if using for middle ear infections)
Ofloxacin ear drops serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fast heartbeat
The following Ofloxacin ear drops 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:
Rare
Puffiness or swelling of eyes
signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, rash, swelling of face or lips, tightness in chest, troubled breathing, or wheezing
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Dizziness
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:
More common
Burning of eye
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.
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Pros and cons of Ofloxacin ear drops
Pros
- Works well to treat certain types of ear infections
- Can safely use in babies for certain ear infections
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Doesn't contain medication to help with ear pain
- Must lie still for 5 minutes after placing the drops into the ear to make sure the medication is absorbed
- Must warm up the medication in your hands before putting the drops into the ear to prevent dizziness
Pharmacist tips for Ofloxacin ear drops
- Only use ofloxacin ear drops in the ear. Don't use it anywhere else in the body. Doing so can be harmful.
- Mild irritation or aching in the ear is a common side effect from using ofloxacin ear drops. Though rare, you might get a headache from using this medication as well. Notify a healthcare professional if these side effects don't go away or are severe.
- Store ofloxacin ear drops at room temperature. When you're ready to use it, first hold the bottle in your hand for 1 to 2 minutes to warm up the medication. This helps prevent dizziness that you might have if you put cold ear drops into your ear.
- Make sure to wash your hands before putting ofloxacin ear drops in your ears. Don't let the dropper tip touch your ear or any other surface, and don't touch the tip with your hands. This helps prevent the ear drops from getting contaminated with germs, which will help you avoid future or worse infections.
- Lie down with the affected ear facing upward and put the drops into the ear. For a middle ear infection, push on the tragus (the piece of cartilage that's above the ear lobe) 4 times after you place the drops into the ear to help the medication go into the ear better.
- After each time you use ofloxacin ear drops, stay in the lying position with the affected ear facing upwards for at least 5 minutes. Use a clean tissue or cotton ball to lightly wipe away any extra medication that comes out of the ear after you get up.
- Use ofloxacin ear drops exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop using the drops, even if you feel better. Stopping your antibiotic treatment course too soon can cause the infection to come back and be harder to treat.
- Throw away any unused ofloxacin ear drops after you finish your course of treatment.
Common questions about Floxin
Floxin will start working to fight the infection right away, since you're putting the medication directly on the area that's infected. For swimmer's ear and middle ear infections in children with ear tubes, you can expect symptoms to improve in less than a week. For chronic infections when you have a burst eardrum, it might take over a week for drainage to go away. Remember to use Floxin for as long as instructed, even if your symptoms start to improve early on. This makes sure your infection is completely and properly treated.
First, hold the medication bottle in your hand for 1 to 2 minutes to warm it up. This lessens the risk for dizziness that can happen if you put cold solution in your ear. Then, lie on your side with the affected ear facing upwards and place the prescribed number of drops in the ear. For a middle ear infection, press on the tragus (the piece of cartilage that's above the ear lobe) 4 times after putting the drops in to help the medication get into the ear better. Stay in that position with the affected ear facing up for at least 5 minutes. This helps your ear absorb as much medication as possible. When you get up, wipe away any extra medication that drips out from the ear with a clean tissue or cotton ball. Ask your healthcare team if you have any questions about using Floxin.
Use Floxin once daily for swimmer's ear and twice daily for short- and long-term middle ear infections. Ask your primary care provider if you're not sure how often you should use Floxin to treat your ear infection.
Yes, ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic.
No, Floxin is only available by prescription. Ask your primary care provider if you need a prescription for Floxin.
No, Floxin only contain ofloxacin, which is an antibiotic and not a steroid. An example of a combination ear drop that has an antibiotic and a steroid is Cipro HC (ciprofloxacin / hydrocortisone).
No, Floxin is an ear drop medication that you should use for the ears only. Never put Floxin in the eyes. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you think you might have an eye problem so you can be examined.
Ask your primary care provider whether it's safe for you to use Floxin during pregnancy. When they're taken by mouth, quinolone antibiotics, such as ofloxacin, aren't recommended during pregnancy because they might cause harm to babies. But Floxin isn't expected to get absorbed into the body since it's a drop that's directly applied to the ears. To be safe, make sure your primary care provider knows if you're pregnant so they can weigh the risks and benefits of using Floxin.
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Risks and warnings for Ofloxacin ear drops
Ofloxacin ear drops 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.
Use only in the ear
Only use ofloxacin ear drops in your ears. Don't give or take this medication any other way, such as swallowed, injected, or placed into the eyes. Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist about other options if you feel this medication isn't the best choice for you or if it's tricky for you to use properly.
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: Allergy to other fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Severe allergic reactions to ofloxacin ear drops are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Get medical help right away if you notice hives, rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after you use ofloxacin ear drops.
Risk of developing new infection
Using ofloxacin ear drops for too long can allow any bacteria and fungi that the medication can't get rid of to overgrow in the ear. Contact your primary care provider for follow up if your ear infection isn't improving after you've used ofloxacin ear drops for one week. You might need additional testing and treatment.
Ofloxacin ear drops dosage
Ear dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 0.3% | 1 ear dropper | $15.85 | $15.85 |
| 10ml of 0.3% | 1 ear dropper | $21.20 | $21.20 |
Typical dosage for Ofloxacin ear drops
Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear)
- Ages 6 months to under 13 years: The typical dose is 5 drops into the affected ear(s) once daily for 7 days.
- Ages 13 years and older: The typical dose is 10 drops into the affected ear(s) once daily for 7 days.
Middle ear infection with ear tubes
- Ages 1 to 12 years: The typical dose is 5 drops into the affected ear(s) twice daily for 10 days.
Long-term middle ear infection in people with burst eardrums
- Ages 12 years and older: The typical dose 10 drops into the affected ear(s) twice daily for 14 days.
Interactions between Ofloxacin ear drops and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
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.
- Acarbose
- Acecainide
- Acetohexamide
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Alosetron
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Benfluorex
- Betamethasone
- Bretylium
- Budesonide
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Canagliflozin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorpropamide
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Corticotropin
- Cortisone
- Cosyntropin
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dapagliflozin
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Droperidol
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Ertugliflozin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Exenatide
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fludrocortisone
- Fluocortolone
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gliclazide
- Glimepiride
- Glipizide
- Gliquidone
- Glyburide
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Insulin
- Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
- Insulin Bovine
- Insulin Degludec
- Insulin Detemir
- Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
- Insulin Glulisine
- Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Linagliptin
- Liraglutide
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Metformin
- Methadone
- Methylprednisolone
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Miglitol
- Mirtazapine
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nateglinide
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pimavanserin
- Pioglitazone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Porfimer
- Posaconazole
- Pramlintide
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Rasagiline
- Repaglinide
- Ribociclib
- Rosiglitazone
- Saxagliptin
- Selpercatinib
- Sematilide
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Siponimod
- Sitagliptin
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tizanidine
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triamcinolone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Vildagliptin
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
- Zuclopenthixol
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.
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Didanosine
- Lanthanum Carbonate
How much does Ofloxacin ear drops cost?
$15.85
Ofloxacin ear drops 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 Ofloxacin ear drops will not be safe for you to take.
- Severe allergy to fluoroquinolone antibiotics
- Use in the eyes
What are alternatives to Ofloxacin ear drops?
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