Ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone otic and Pain: What Users Say

• Lta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2020

For Otitis Externa "This medicine works for swimmer's ear, but you HAVE to take it for the prescribed amount of time. The first 1-5 doses will be very painful, and it sucks, especially at night. Pain meds, cold and warm compresses help immensely! The medicine starts working, and all pain will be gone by your 3rd or 4th day. Seriously, don’t let these reviews claiming it doesn’t work from people who took one dose scare you—take it for the prescribed amount of time, and it will do wonders!"

• Lau...
• April 20, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Dee...
• August 18, 2020

For Otitis Externa "Took Ciprodex for an ear infection. It immediately intensified my pain, so I stopped it. Saw ENT one day later while on amoxicillin clav and steroid, he thought pain could have been from the ear being flushed. He advised trying Ciprodex again. After the next dose, I was thrown immediately into suffering pain, stabbing and throbbing pain, inflamed jaw and throat. Pain will not relent. Taken 3 Tylenol and iced it. 14 hours later, still throbbing. Please tell me this pain will stop! Never take this med, it's torture!"

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Red...
• December 17, 2017

For Otitis Externa "I’ve taken 4 doses of Ciprodex and will need my 5th dose in a few hours. I was prescribed this medicine by a nurse practitioner and told to use it 2x per day (4 drops per dose). My ear canal is still swollen, the pain has gotten a lot worse, and I also have pain in and under my jaw now. I have difficulty eating, and I can’t sleep because it feels like someone is stabbing my brain with a knife. I came to this site to find out how long it takes to work. It's not looking hopeful."

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2019

For Otitis Externa "This medication ear drop, Ciprodex, is horrible. My ears weren't as bad before using the drops, both ears are infected, and I can hardly hear. I stopped taking the drops and am sticking to the amoxicillin provided. I don't recommend these drops. My face hurts on the side, my jaw feels tight. So uncomfortable sleeping at night, so I sleep sitting in the upright position. Please just pray that this pain is over with soon. I'm not sure if I should see an ENT. I had this problem before in one ear, but it's in both now. So it's stressful."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• 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."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• 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."

• KET...
• July 9, 2018

For Otitis Externa "USE WITH CAUTION! My 14-year-old daughter was prescribed Ciprodex for swimmer's ear in both ears. Before seeing the doctor, we were using ibuprofen and over-the-counter pain relief eardrops, with the only serious pain being in the middle of the night. The doctor said Ciprodex would be expensive ($50) but worth it, as it would clear the ear fast. WRONG! Approximately 30 minutes after the very first dose, she was screaming and writhing in pain like I'd never seen. MUCH WORSE! I Googled it to find LOTS of similar stories and pain as a known side effect! I immediately called and got an alternative (Neomycin-Polymyxin HC drops - FREE - 100% coverage by insurance and no copay!) I tried the new drops in the first ear and waited 1 hour before using them in the other ear to make sure these drops wouldn't cause the same intense pain. She was fine with the free Neomycin-Polymyxin HC. Hopefully, healing can begin now!"

• B-R...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2017

For Otitis Externa "I had ear canal inflammation for almost 4 weeks and haven't touched these drops since the reviews say that it'll damage your cochlear nerve, cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Taking these drops, I've seen some improvement. Yeah, a little pain here and there, and yes... a little tinnitus here and there, but that's cause the medicine is eating the inflammation like Pac-Man. It works like a charm. Just don't overuse it or you'll get hearing loss and resistance. It works, trust me."

• 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!"

• Lee...
• July 24, 2017

For Otitis Externa "This hurts so bad. I'm not sleeping at night. I'm in constant pain from the medication. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow and reporting this. I feel like I stuck poison in my ear. I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE IN SO MUCH PAIN!!!!"

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

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2017

For Otitis Externa "My daughter just started taking this yesterday, and as soon as we used the drops, within half an hour, she was in more pain than she had been before taking it. I hopped on here and saw so many other people have experienced the same thing. We are going to try them this morning and see if it makes a difference or not. She complained of pain in her ear all the way down the side of her jaw. And the price - oh my goodness. I don't have coverage, and this little bottle cost me $45. I see some people are paying more, which is ridiculous considering it seems to be a medication that does not work the best. We'll see how we do after the next dose, otherwise, I'm stopping it and we are going back to the doctor."

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

For Middle Ear Infections "I am on my last drops of Ciprodex today. I would say I am 75% better and 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 is only halfway there. BUT THE COST IS CRAZY: $400.00. My healthcare only paid $96.00 of it. And yes, it hurts for a while after you put the drops in your ears!!!"

• Mat...
• July 11, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• Mat...
• July 11, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "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."

• flu...
• November 12, 2018

For Otitis Externa "Showered in the morning (I usually don't). This probably was the start of the bacterial infection. Early next morning, I woke up to pain in my left ear. Felt like a chunk of earwax was poking my eardrum and the back of my ear. Spent the entire day trying to get it out with earwax remover and water. Advil got me to sleep. The day after, I went to the doctor, who prescribed Ciprodex. It hurt quite a bit, but less than the pain from before. I took Advil 2 or 3 times that day. The next day, my ear felt inflamed. Sometimes I felt sharp pain at the back of my ear, but I didn't need Advil that day, though. The next after that is today. It just feels like there's earwax all over the inside of my ear, but no pain. Some pieces I picked out looked like earwax, but I'm thinking it's Ciprodex that has just dried out in my ear canal. For fixing my issue in about two days, I'd say this stuff is actually insanely effective. (Though disclaimer, I have no idea how bacterial infections go for other regions of the body)."

• Mol...
• December 30, 2016

For Otitis Externa "I have only been on this medication for one day for both internal and external ear infections. Within hours of taking it, my ear started to swell even more than it already was, causing it to hurt tremendously to open my mouth, chew, and even swallow. I was in pain before, but since taking Ciprodex, the pain has increased a substantial amount. I was told it should get better within 48 hours. I can't take the drops anymore due to all the swelling and pain, also hearing loss. I'm hoping this clears up soon with just the pal medication I was also prescribed."

• 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."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2018

For Otitis Externa "After swimming, I noticed water in my ear. I tried various home remedies for four days and finally went to urgent care to clear up this annoying feeling. The PA prescribed me Ciprodex 2x a day for 7 days. After the first dose, my entire ear/jaw swelled up, causing difficulty speaking and eating. The pain was horrible! The first night, I counted down the minutes for my next dose of ibuprofen. I made it through 3 doses of this poison and decided I needed a second opinion. I went to my PCP, who urged me to STOP taking the drops immediately! I switched to Amoxicillin and am praying for a speedy recovery. Taking Ciprodex was the worst decision I’ve ever made! I just want it to get out of my system fast so I can move on from this overpriced poison!"