Ciprodex and Itching: What Users Say

• gga...
• August 30, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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!"

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2020

For Otitis Externa "My ENT prescribed Ciprodex for an external ear infection in the left ear. I didn't have pain in my left ear until after the ENT had cleaned my ear due to a feeling of fullness and hearing loss, and after I started Ciprodex. My left ear was extremely painful and itchy after I put drops in my ear, and I could not sleep at night without Ibuprofen. My left jaw and side of my face were very uncomfortable. I used the drops for 5 days and then went back to the ENT. He suggested using them for 2 more days. I almost cried. I used them for one more day and gave up. A little over a week since I stopped the drops, and I'm just beginning to not have continual pain in my left ear and left side of my face/jaw. I am finally able to sleep on my left side without excruciating discomfort."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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!"

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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!"

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Nei...
• February 7, 2019

For Otitis Externa "Dealing with soreness in right ear.... progressively getting worse over a period of 3 weeks or more. Ciprodex was prescribed at a cost of $400. My Medicare didn't cover, so I faxed over to V.A. They issued it free of charge for me. First two days.... no improvement. 3rd day greatly improved. Now on my 5th day and I believe I'm cured, but will continue to take as prescribed for 7 days total. Side effects: some itching, but none other that I notice."

• Flo...
• September 15, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "Dr. prescribed Ciprodex Otic drops for my ear infection. I took my first dose (4 drops) at 2 pm yesterday. Within a few hours, itching started, and small red dots appeared on my neck, upper arms, and chest. I took Benadryl at 10 pm because they were now hives. Slept very little. Went to Dr. this morning to show her the hives. Rather than prescribe a replacement medicine, she said to take Zyrtec for the next two days and see her next week. The Ciprodex cost me $97.50 out of pocket after the small portion my insurance covered. This was a short-lived nightmare I will not repeat. This was after 1 dosage."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• ODo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

For Otitis Externa "4 drops in ear and wait one minute. Itching subsided after about half an hour wait."