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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic (Ciprodex)?

Do not use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic without first talking to your doctor if you have had a previous allergic reaction to it or to another similar oral or topical medication such as:

• a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or trovafloxacin (Trovan);
• an oral or injectable steroid such as cortisone (Cortef, Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron), dexamethasone (Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), and others; or
• a topical steroid such as betamethasone (Diprosone, Diprolene), clobetasol (Temovate, Olux), fluocinolone (Synalar, Synemol, Fluonid), fluocinonide (Lidex), fluticasone (Cutivate), halobetasol (Ultravate), mometasone (Elocon), triamcinolone (Aristocort), and others.

You may not be able to use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic passes into breast milk. Do not use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic (Ciprodex)?

Use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic is intended for use in the ears only.

In general, ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic should be used as follows:

• Warm the drops slightly by holding them in the hands for 1 or 2 minutes. Administration of cold drops into the ear may cause dizziness.
• Have another person administer the drops whenever possible. Have the affected person lie on their side or tilt the ear up to make administering a drop easier.
• Gently shake the drops just before administration.
• For adults, gently hold the earlobe up and back. For children, gently hold the earlobe down and back. This will allow the drops to run into the ear canal. Carefully instill the prescribed number of drops in the first ear.
• Keep the ear tilted for at least 60 seconds to allow the medication to penetrate the ear.
• If the patient being treated has ear tubes, the doctor may recommend gently pressing the tragus (part of the ear in front of the opening of the ear canal) five times in a pumping motion after administration of the drops. This may allow the drops to pass through the tubes into the middle ear. Follow the doctor's instructions.
• Repeat the process in the other ear if prescribed.

Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone ear drops are usually used twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Use all of the medication that has been prescribed. Symptoms may begin to improve before the condition is completely treated. If you do not use all of the medication prescribed, the condition could return or worsen.

It is important to use ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic regularly to get the most benefit.

Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.

Avoid getting water inside of the affected ear(s) during treatment with ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone. Care should be used while bathing and swimming may not be recommended. Talk to your healthcare provider.

Store ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone otic at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep the bottle properly capped.

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