Is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) still available?

No, Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) is no longer available in the United States because it was [discontinued](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=207986). It's not clear why the manufacturer discontinued the medication.

Is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) a sulfa drug?

No. Ciprofloxacin isn't a sulfa drug, so it's safe to take Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) if you have a [sulfa allergy](https://www.goodrx.com/bactrim/sulfa-allergies-bactrim-other-drugs-to-avoid).

Is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) a penicillin?

No, ciprofloxacin isn't a penicillin. It's a type of antibiotic called a [fluoroquinolone](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/quinolone-antibiotics) (or "quinolone").

Can you take Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) if you're allergic to penicillin?

Yes, you can safely take Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) even if you're [allergic to penicillin](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/allergies/penicillin-allergies). Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, whereas [penicillin](https://www.goodrx.com/penicillin-v-potassium/what-is) is a [beta-lactam antibiotic](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545311/). These antibiotics work differently in your body to fight bacterial infections. If you're allergic to either penicillin or ciprofloxacin, it doesn't mean you'll be allergic to the other.

Does Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) cover Pseudomonas?

Yes, ciprofloxacin covers (or fights against) the *Pseudomonas* bacteria. The most common type of [*Pseudomonas* that causes infections](https://www.cdc.gov/pseudomonas-aeruginosa/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/pseudomonas.html) is called *[Pseudomonas aeruginosa](https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/bacterial-infections-gram-negative-bacteria/pseudomonas-infections)*. Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) can be used for an ear infection that's caused by *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.

What are common side effects of Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)?

The most common [side effects](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/207986s002lbl.pdf) of Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) are common cold symptoms, feeling irritable, and runny nose. Other side effects can include headache, itchiness in the ear, and ear discomfort.

Otiprio

ciprofloxacin

Used for Ear Infection

Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) is an antibiotic that's given directly in the ear to treat certain ear infections in people age 6 months and older. This medication belongs to the fluoroquinolone drug class. It's given as a single dose into the infected ear by a healthcare professional. Side effects include feeling irritated and having common cold symptoms like runny nose. Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) is no longer available in the United States because it was discontinued. There's a different brand of ciprofloxacin ear drops that's still available called Cetraxal.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on February 4, 2024

What is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)?

What is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) used for?

Middle ear infections in people ages 6 months and older undergoing ear tube placement
Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 6 months and older

How Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) works

Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic. It blocks certain enzymes (proteins) that bacteria need to grow, repair their genetic material (DNA), and survive. By blocking this process, Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) kills bacteria.

Are you looking for information on ciprofloxacin ear drops (Cetraxal) or ciprofloxacin eye drops and ointment (Ciloxan) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Otiprio
Drug Class	Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Otiprio

Drug Class

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Otiprio

No, Otiprio is no longer available in the United States because it was discontinued. It's not clear why the manufacturer discontinued the medication.

No. Ciprofloxacin isn't a sulfa drug, so it's safe to take Otiprio if you have a sulfa allergy.

No, ciprofloxacin isn't a penicillin. It's a type of antibiotic called a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone").

Yes, you can safely take Otiprio even if you're allergic to penicillin. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, whereas penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic. These antibiotics work differently in your body to fight bacterial infections. If you're allergic to either penicillin or ciprofloxacin, it doesn't mean you'll be allergic to the other.

Yes, ciprofloxacin covers (or fights against) the Pseudomonas bacteria. The most common type of Pseudomonas that causes infections is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Otiprio can be used for an ear infection that's caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Otiprio is given by a healthcare professional at a medical office. The medication is injected directly into the ear. It can also be given as drops into the ear.

The most common side effects of Otiprio are common cold symptoms, feeling irritable, and runny nose. Other side effects can include headache, itchiness in the ear, and ear discomfort.

Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) dosage

Typical dosage for Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)

What are alternatives to Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Otiprio (ciprofloxacin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)

Used for:

Middle ear infections in people ages 6 months and older undergoing ear tube placement
Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 6 months and older

View prices

Ciprofloxacin (Cetraxal)

Used for:

Outer ear infection

$38.10Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

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

$18.11Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

References

Bush, L. M., et al. (2024). Pseudomonas infections. Merck Manual Consumer Version.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. (n.d.). Otiprio. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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.

What is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)?

What is Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) used for?

How Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) works

Are you looking for information on ciprofloxacin ear drops (Cetraxal) or ciprofloxacin eye drops and ointment (Ciloxan) instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Otiprio

Is Otiprio still available?

Is Otiprio a sulfa drug?

Is Otiprio a penicillin?

Can you take Otiprio if you're allergic to penicillin?

Does Otiprio cover Pseudomonas?

How is Otiprio given?

What are common side effects of Otiprio?

Otiprio (ciprofloxacin) dosage

Typical dosage for Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)

What are alternatives to Otiprio (ciprofloxacin)?

References

View All References (2)

Common questions about Otiprio

Is Otiprio still available?

Is Otiprio a sulfa drug?

Is Otiprio a penicillin?

Can you take Otiprio if you're allergic to penicillin?

Does Otiprio cover Pseudomonas?

How is Otiprio given?

What are common side effects of Otiprio?