Ciprodex for Middle Ear Infections User Reviews

• Lau...
• April 20, 2020

"Not going to lie, when I started taking these Ciprodex drops, it hurt a lot, to the point of tears. I had a hard time sleeping, and my ear was closing up. It hurt so much on the third day I decided I was going to stop taking it because of the pain, and I was worried it was making my ear infection worse. After I skipped my morning dose, I noticed hours later that my ear opened back up, and I actually could hear from my infected ear just as good as my good ear! I realized it might actually be working and finished the rest. It probably hurts because it was working, it was destroying the infection, and I'd rather go through the pain to get better than not at all. I'm surprised with all the negative reviews. It hurts, believe me I know, but it's worth it. My ear infection and hearing loss I've been experiencing a long time got a lot better. It worked for me. I knocked off a star because of the pain, but in this case, no pain, no gain. I would take it again if I had another ear infection in the future."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2020

"Just got prescribed Ciprodex today. Long history of chronic ear infections and have used many drops in the past. This one, by far, is the most painful I’ve ever had. The side of my head feels like it’s on fire, and it has extended down to my throat and into my sinuses. Ask for something else if your doctor suggests this. RUN if you have to."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 30, 2021

"I love Ciprodex. I have been using this stuff for years for any and all ear infections. I always request it from my doctor over any other drop. My technique is: 1. Heating pad on the affected ear. 2. Lie on your non-affected ear at night or back/stomach. 3. Advil. First 2 days I take 800 mg twice a day. 4. Days 3+ I take 400 mg every 6 to 8 hours. 5. Always keep your serum levels up. Trust me, this one is huge. 6. Take drops as directed. It is normal for the ear to hurt, swell, woosh, etc. It's working. Drink lots of tea or soup. Keep your head covered and avoid wind/fans. Be careful of getting water in your ear from the shower. And do not use Q-tips to clean your ears. Just don't put anything in your ear, period. Even your finger. Use a cloth around your finger that is clean if you must scratch or clean in the future. Never put anything in your ear when it's infected, period. If you use earphones or earbuds, be sure to rest your ears and clean the devices constantly. Be sure to clean your pillowcases often."

• Rut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

"I had a pretty bad ear infection and was prescribed Ciprodex. I applied it in the evening right before bed, and it felt like it was burning, I was in so much pain. The next morning, I woke up with mild tinnitus. At first, I didn’t put it together that it was the drops that gave me tinnitus after, but because the drops gave me terrible pain, I didn’t use them again. After a week, and I still had the infection, I decided to use the drops again in the morning, by nighttime, tinnitus increased to a massive level, and I couldn’t sleep for weeks. Luckily, tinnitus eventually went down to being very mild, but I’m not sure it’ll ever go away. No hearing loss, I’ve had three expensive tests done. I wish I could have researched this medication. Even my ENT told me the drops are not good for middle ear infections."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2009

"Ciprodex was prescribed by my ENT doctor in Portland, Oregon, in January 2008. Immediately after using this drug, I developed serious vertigo issues that resulted in a fall. I also got tinnitus, ringing in the ears, which is especially annoying."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2020

"I had a dual ear infection (middle and outer), my ear externally blew up the side of my face. It was the worst pain. I was given amoxicillin first, it only got worse. Then I was given Ciprodex and Clindamycin. I thought Ciprodex was making it worse. Every time I did the drops, it burned and felt like it was making the side of my face more inflamed and clogged! I was literally on the edge of going to the ER because I thought I needed surgery. I worked for an ENT and called them. They ended up calling me in a Medrol pack. I never stopped the drops. The Medrol pack worked instantly within hours and reduced the inflammation. I still felt the ear infection-clogged, itchy, and still slightly painful. I think Ciprodex just felt like it was making things worse because of how inflamed and bad my infections were. But it does work. Keep with it!"

• gga...
• August 30, 2018

"Ciprodex costs $270 out of pocket with no insurance or coupons. These ear drops are painful and can cause some swelling and discomfort. It felt as if they were only making my pain worse, even while taking prescribed ibuprofen. Do NOT, however, stop taking them without the permission of a doctor. That is misuse of an antibiotic. I will admit that I almost contacted a doctor myself because of excruciating pain from taking the ear drops. I am on the 7th day of dealing with a severe otitis media/externa infection, 4th day taking Ciprodex, and my condition has only improved. I am unsure the price is worth it, but you will see improvements if you are able to overcome the side effects of the medication. After a few days, it seems itching is my sole side effect. If your side effects are more severe, you should definitely consider switching with a doctor's advice. Overall, these ear drops have helped me a lot—the side effects were outweighed by the benefits, but the price was off-putting."

• Ner...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

"Ciprodex caused ear and jaw pain. Went to the doctor to have him look in my ears, he said no infection, but there was 'pressure, don't fly in a plane for the next 2 weeks.' Seriously, I threw it in the trash. I am so upset I have to deal with this. The pain woke me up a few times and hurts to eat on the left side. But I can hear again. Never taking this stuff ever again. I hope this pain goes away soon. Sick of dealing with this."

• Rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

"I’m not sure why everyone needs to come on the internet and tell them your bad experience, which likely wasn’t that bad. Anyways, I had a super bad ear infection, got prescribed this and amoxicillin 500 together, and I have to say the next morning I feel a ton better. So I would recommend for sure."

• Jaj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2019

"I have never had ear infections. My ears have been in good condition up until the last year. Plus, my doctor recommended that I go and see a specialist. The specialist then forward vacuumed my ear out to clear out the debris so that the antibiotic drops could clear the infection. However, after taking these drops, I have incurred clogged ear, intense itching in my inner ear. The medication is extremely expensive. I don't know if the specialist and the pharmaceutical representatives are working in conjunction, but it is not conducive to the ones these drops are being prescribed to, those experiencing ear pain. Matter of fact, my doctor prescribed an off-brand, and symptoms went away and came back over time. It was then I was referred back to the specialist who swears by Ciprodex. I do not recommend this medication. It interrupts sleep, pain, and intense itching in the inter-canal. Still going through this now."

• Vel...
• November 9, 2015

"I had been battling the worst ear infection for about three days with a big earache that I finally gave in on the fourth day and went to the doctor who prescribed Ciprodex. I felt relief from the first dosage. I'm going on my fourth day using this medicine, and my pain is completely gone. I still have somewhat of a stuffed ear and loss of hearing, but I can slowly start to hear more, and the stuffiness is going away. The only downfall is that even with my insurance, this medicine cost me $85! I will say, given the amount of ear pain I've endured lately, that the price was worth it!!"

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2009

"I've been using this medication for 3 days now. The pain from my infection is gone, but the ringing in my ear is still there, and everything is muffled. I am also on an oral antibiotic for tonsillitis and sinus infection as well. Overall, I am very happy with this medication. The only downside is that if I had not had insurance, this medication would have cost $101, with insurance, it was only $25."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2012

"I like how it cleans out my ear. It calmed down my pain in 2 days. I'm using 4 drops twice a day. The only problem is a little loss of hearing, I believe it's the wax built up inside my ear and the infection. Now I'm going to get my ear cleaned by my doctor today."

• Axe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

"Prescribed Ciprodex by my ear specialist to clear up a middle ear infection that occurred due to a ruptured eardrum. I’m on day 6, and it hasn’t really worked. No adverse side effects other than some mild itching and a decrease in personal finances - $265 for a tiny bottle!"

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2019

"40 year old adult who never had any ear problems. In fact I have overly exceptional hearing. 1 week ago my left ear felt full and I let it go for 3 days. I happened to be seeing PC doc about something else, and mentioned it. They told me I have an inner ear infection so will put me on Cirprodex for 7 days. However, he doesn't believe my insurance in MA will pay for it. Went to pick it up and it cost $8. I put it in that night, My ear was very clogged had a hard time hearing people. 6 days later ear is still clogged, but it happens to clear up on its own every 3 hours then goes back to being full. Overall no side effects. No pain. Just need to have a tolerance for having an ear that feels full in the normal business world."

• Lyu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2018

"Ciprodex didn't help me at all. After 4 drops, it made my pain even worse, it added some burning sensation to my ear. This product should be off the market. Spent $56 after insurance, such a waste of money and time. I don't recommend this product to anyone."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2020

"Ciprodex is a weak antibiotic diluted with a steroid that doesn't work. Took 6 days to feel any effect. I used regular doses of ibuprofen to control the pain. What happened to the effective antibiotics I used to get for outer ear infections? I've had 8 or 10 infections over the last 12 - 15 years. The last two were awful due to this useless drop. Ridiculously expensive too."

• Dus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2020

"Have been having on and off ear pain and swelling for two months. I’m a surfer in and out of the water every day, living in Central America with nothing but an GP in an ER clinic available for medical help. First, was prescribed by an ER clinic doc Cipo BID for 6 days, which made the infection seem like it was going away with mild relief, only to have it come back with a vengeance a week later but all swelling in the neck and jaw and pain but I could hear, and the ear canal was clear. Back to the clinic. Prescribed Clamicil BID (amoxicillin) and Ciprodex drops, 3 drops every 8 hours. The Clamicil was working great. 24 hours of the drops and my ear had swollen shut. Severe pain and itching and discharge. The doc said, oh well, just stop using them then. Why even prescribe them?! I’m worse off than when I went in. Luckily, they’re not expensive here, I only paid $20 for the bottle. Continuing the amoxicillin and moving on to seeing an acupuncturist for the swelling. Do not use these!"

• mel...
• June 26, 2018

"I took this medication for 3 days, and my ear pain increased so bad to the point of tears. I had pain from my temple through my jawbone. I had problems chewing because my teeth (bite) were crooked due to the jaw swelling. I read a few reviews stating that it gets worse before it gets better. There is no way this is helping me. I just had to stop taking it and continue my amoxicillin and started using the Similasan ear relief drops (OTC)."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2019

"I am on my last drop's of Ciprodex today, I would say I am 75% better & was also on a Z- pack. I could not hear at all for the first few days. Now my right ear is completely better and my left only half way there. BUT THE COST IS CRAZY $400.00 my healthcare only paid $96.00 of it. And yes it hurt's for awhile after you put the drops in your ears!!!"

• gle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2016

"A doctor prescribed this for an inner ear infection caused by another medication. I used it twice, and the pain in my ear has increased tremendously, there is swelling and itching, my tongue is swelling, and everything tastes funny. I have also had three episodes of dizziness, and my entire head and face itch. I'm a veteran, was not able to get this through the VA because of a weekend emergency, and don't have any other insurance except Medicare. The cost was $222.90, and another $81.00 for another oral medicine that I could only take one time and had to throw up. Hopefully, my ears will eventually heal themselves without any more help from the doctor because I can't afford being a guinea pig."

• Mat...
• July 11, 2018

"This was a fairly scary experience for me. The review that explained how the doctor assured them there was no way Ciprodex was causing the swelling and pain, yeah... that doctor needs to get a clue. Had an ear infection for a week. Nothing but inner ear pain and redness on the ear. Used amoxicillin for 3 days. Wasn't helping. So they prescribed me Ciprodex. This was day ten. No swelling, no jaw pain. 3 hours after taking it, my wife noticed that the side of my face was HUGE. I couldn't eat anything because of intense jaw pain and could barely even talk, with redness all around my ear. Used for two days because I read that sometimes it can be the infection that can cause certain things. It only got worse, of course. Now, 3 days after, I am just about back to normal, with the infection still. Didn't want to take it for 2-3 days with those side effects, but I paid $230 for this tiny bottle. Can be cheaper with insurance, but new job and it doesn't kick in for another month. Be careful."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

"Horrible company- charges about $300 for a teeny tiny bottle of a medicine containing two generically available drugs: a steroid and an antibiotic. Also, the price has risen dramatically, despite the low cost of the been-around-forever drugs contained in these drops. Total ripoff, and an example of why these companies (Novartis in this case) need to be much more regulated. "

• Aga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

"On day four I stopped sleeping, started having night sweats, bugs crawling on my skin, slurred speech, very high HR. Unfortunately, I couldn't believe that is was ear drops and so I continued taking them for another 8 years by which time I totally deteriorated. Since stopping it a month ago I still have insomnia, high HR, terrible tinnitus, painful muscles, fatigue, panic attacks, etc. I have since found out I was 'floxed' and that the damage to my CNS might even be permanent. Please look for alternatives and NEVER allow this near your child!!!!!!"

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2009

"My two year old had severe ear infection and did not respond to this antibiotic at all so after five straight days of 104 temperature and vomiting the doctor gave a shot of Rocephin which broke the fever immediately and started the healing of the ears and then finished with a round of Augmentin. We did however get the severe diaper rash that the letter said could accompany this medication. "