From the Guidelines
The typical dosage of Ciprodex for otitis externa is 4 drops instilled into the affected ear(s) twice daily for 7 days. When administering Ciprodex, it is essential to follow proper techniques to ensure the medication reaches the ear canal effectively. The patient should lie with the affected ear facing upward, and the outer ear should be gently pulled upward and backward (for adults) or downward and backward (for children) [ 1 ]. The ear should be kept in this position for about 3 to 5 minutes after instillation to allow the drops to fill the ear canal [ 1 ]. Additionally, gentle to-and-fro movement of the pinna or tragal pumping can help eliminate trapped air and ensure the drops penetrate deeper into the ear canal [ 1 ]. It is crucial to note that the amount of drops required may vary depending on the age and size of the patient [ 1 ].
Some key points to consider when administering Ciprodex include:
- Warming the medication to body temperature by holding the bottle in your hand for 1-2 minutes before administration to prevent dizziness
- Pressing the tragus a few times to help the medication penetrate deeper into the ear canal
- Keeping the ear canal open to dry and avoid trapping moisture and infected debris after administering the drops [ 1 ]
- Educating the patient or caregiver on how to administer topical drops correctly [ 1 ]
It is also important to assess the patient's response to therapy and reassess if symptoms fail to resolve completely by 2 weeks after initiation of therapy [ 1 ]. If topical antimicrobial therapy was prescribed and symptoms persist, systemic therapy may be necessary [ 1 ].
From the FDA Drug Label
Ciprofloxacin otic solution, 0.2% should be given 2 times each day (about 12 hours apart) in each infected ear. The contents of one single-dose container should be instilled into the affected ear twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) for 7 days. Each single-dose container delivers 0.25 mL of solution equivalent to 0.5 mg of ciprofloxacin;
The typical dosage of ciprodex for otitis externa is 4 drops (1 single-dose container) per affected ear, twice daily. 2 2
From the Research
Dosage of Ciprodex for Otitis Externa
- The typical dosage of Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone) for otitis externa is 3-4 drops twice daily 3.
- This dosage has been shown to be effective in treating otitis externa, with clinical cure rates of 90.9% and microbiologic eradication rates of 94.7% 3.
- Another study used ciprofloxacin (2 mg/ml) as ear drops twice daily, but the exact volume of drops was not specified 4.
- It's worth noting that the dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the patient's response to the medication.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Ciprodex has been compared to other treatments for otitis externa, including neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone otic suspension 3 and oxytetracycline/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone combination treatment 4.
- These studies have shown that Ciprodex is a effective and well-tolerated treatment for otitis externa, with fewer adverse effects than some other treatments 3, 4.
Use in Pediatric Patients
- Ciprodex has been studied in pediatric patients with acute otitis media with otorrhea through tympanostomy tubes, and has been shown to be safe and effective in this population 5, 6.
- The typical dosage in pediatric patients is 4 drops of ciprofloxacin 0.3%/dexamethasone 0.1% otic suspension twice daily for 7 days 5, 6.