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Ofloxacin Coupon - Ofloxacin 5ml of 0.3% ear dropper

ofloxacin

Generic Floxin Otic
Used for Ear Infection
Used for Ear Infection

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 7, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Ofloxacin ear drops?

What is Ofloxacin ear drops used for?

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.

Are you looking for information on ofloxacin eye drops (Ocuflox), ofloxacin oral tablets, or ciprofloxacin ear drops (Cetraxal) instead?
When does Ofloxacin ear drops start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsFloxin Otic (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassFluoroquinolone antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the 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%)

Other Side Effects

  • Earache
  • "Pins and needles" sensation
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Bitter taste (if using for middle ear infections)

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
When do Ofloxacin ear drops possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Ear pain or irritation
Bitter taste
Dizziness

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:

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

Less common

Blurred vision

eye pain

feeling of something in the eye

increased sensitivity of eye to light

redness, irritation, or itching of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid

stinging, tearing, or dryness 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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Ofloxacin ear drops

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

Pharmacist tips for Ofloxacin ear drops

pharmacist

  • 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.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Ofloxacin ear drops

                  How long do ofloxacin ear drops take to work?
                  Ofloxacin ear drops 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 ofloxacin ear drops for as long as instructed, even if your symptoms start to improve early on. This makes sure your infection is completely and properly treated.
                  How do you use ofloxacin ear drops?
                  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 ofloxacin ear drops.
                  How often do you use ofloxacin ear drops?
                  Use ofloxacin ear drops 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 ofloxacin ear drops to treat your ear infection.
                  Is ofloxacin ear drops an antibiotic?
                  Yes, ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic.
                  Is ofloxacin ear drops over the counter?
                  No, ofloxacin ear drops is only available by prescription. Ask your primary care provider if you need a prescription for ofloxacin ear drops.
                  Do ofloxacin ear drops have steroids?
                  No, ofloxacin ear drops 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).
                  Can you use ofloxacin ear drops in the eye?
                  No, ofloxacin ear drops is an ear drop medication that you should use for the ears only. Never put ofloxacin ear drops 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.
                  Are ofloxacin ear drops safe during pregnancy?
                  Ask your primary care provider whether it's safe for you to use ofloxacin ear drops 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 ofloxacin ear drops 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 ofloxacin ear drops.
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                  What are the 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.

                  risk-warning

                  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.

                  risk-warning

                  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-warning

                    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.

                    dosage

                    Ofloxacin ear drops dosage forms

                    Typical dosing 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

                    Interactions between Ofloxacin ear drops and other drugs

                    Ofloxacin ear drops 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 Ofloxacin ear drops. 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 Ofloxacin ear drops cost?

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                    contraindications-icon

                    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.
                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Ofloxacin ear drops?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ofloxacin ear drops. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Ofloxacin ear drops
                    Used for:
                    $20.78 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Ciprofloxacin (Cetraxal)
                    Used for:

                    • Outer ear infection

                    $41.24 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Otovel (ciprofloxacin / fluocinolone)
                    Used for:

                    • Middle ear infections in children with ear tubes

                    $260.54 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    images

                    Ofloxacin ear drops images

                    This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.
                    yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    This medicine is Yellow Ear Dropper.yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    This medicine is Yellow Ear Dropper.yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    This medicine is Yellow Ear Dropper.yellow - Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
                    This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.
                    This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.
                    This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    Apotex Corp. (2023). Ofloxacin otic- ofloxacin solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    Jan, T. A. (2024). Otitis media (chronic suppurative). Merck Manual Consumer Version.

                    National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). Anatomy of the ear.

                    View All References (2)

                    Panchasara, A., et al. (2015). Efficacy and safety of ofloxacin and its combination with dexamethasone in chronic suppurative otitis media. A randomised, double blind, parallel group, comparative study. Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica.

                    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Combating antibiotic resistance.

                    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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