Skip to main content

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Cortisporin Otic, Antibiotic Ear, Drotic, Cortomycin, Casporyn HC, AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension Cortatrigen Modified Cortatrigen Cort-Biotic

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic has an average rating of 2.3 out of 10 from a total of 56 reviews on Drugs.com. 15% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 83% reported a negative experience.

Write a review

Reviews for Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic

  • Mel...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 16, 2020

For Otitis Externa "Beware of this medication! Whatever you do, do not take it. It will wreak havoc on your ear. After taking 4 drops 4 times a day for 7 days, it formed a cast in my ear. I had to see an ENT (as I was given the medication at an urgent care) afterwards because my ear had a “rice krispie” sound whenever I’d touch it. He told me my ear was dry and unable to clean until he gave me a different set of drops to clear it up. Why is this medication given to anyone? It needs to be removed ASAP."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
41 Report
  • Fru...
  • September 27, 2019

For Otitis Externa "Prescribed by an ENT for an outer ear infection, I used these drops for 5 days & seemed to take care of the infection, however, one week later, my hearing became muffled. I returned to the ENT, who said I had Eustachian Tube Dysfunction & prescribed steroids, etc., but it only worsened to the point of being debilitating. An MRI was ordered, a CT scan performed with negative results. I saw 3 other ENTs who also were unable to help. After 4 months, I was referred to my 4th ENT, who found the drops had left a residue forming a cast on my eardrum, rendering it unable to move. 3 wks of oil treatment helped loosen the cast from my drum, it was easily removed, and although this freed up my eardrum, my ear is still struggling to clear. I am appalled that drops that could cause such damage are being prescribed."

Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • Bra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 29, 2023

For Otitis Externa "Don’t do it! If you’re reading this, don’t, just don’t, it will not help and also WILL leave a crust on the eardrum. That I have to literally convince doctors that it’s affecting my hearing. These drops make me never want to go to a doctor again. Left film on my ear that has to now get removed, and I have ringing in my ear."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Joh...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 8, 2020

For Otitis Externa "I used the drops in both ears for a week because my ears were itchy. The itch went away, but after a week, my ears became clogged, sounds were muffled, and there was hearing loss in the right ear. I went to the ENT after two weeks. It seems that the suspension caused a crust to form on the ear drums, preventing them from vibrating, which caused the muffled sound and the hearing loss. The ENT used a small tweezer, pulled crust from both ears, and voila... I could hear again. If you get the symptoms I had, let your ENT know to check for that. Don’t use the suspension for longer than 10 days."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Loa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2020

For Otitis Externa "One of the worst ear drops I have to take. I was having irritation in both ears due to excessive Q-tip use, and the doctor prescribed me this for pain. I used it in both ears for the first day, three times a day, and it burned and itched when I tried it. It also made both of my ears completely clogged and now barely drains, and the skin around the ear is sore, dry, and scabby. I tried it again the next day, which was a huge mistake. Now both ears are again completely clogged, and my gland under my right ear on my face is painful and enlarged and barely drains. I can’t hear out of both ears, and it hurts to chew. Do not use this medication. I’m surprised this was even prescribed to me when I could have used something else. This medication shouldn’t even be on the market at all. I’m wondering why the doctor who prescribed it to me without telling me the side effects, and I’m worried now that it has caused damage to my ear. I hope not. I’m really angry."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Ron...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 27, 2019

For Otitis Externa "I had an incident where a bug crawled into my ear while I was sleeping, and believe me, it was extremely painful. I went to the ER, and they pulled it out and wrote me a prescription for Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic to ensure I would not develop an ear infection after the procedure. I was instructed to use 3-4 drops, 3 times a day for 7 days and then discontinue use of them. I followed these instructions precisely. 3 days after I stopped taking them, my inner ear started to become extremely itchy, and I had discharge coming out of my ear. After that, my inner ear was scaly and painful and itchy. It has since then spread to my outer earlobe. My earlobe is covered in a rash and is swollen. I also experienced hearing loss, and I now have a lump behind my ear. Please do not use these drops."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
20 Report
  • Tay...
  • August 17, 2017

For Otitis Externa "This stuff is horrible. Do not use it!!! My girlfriend started using this (prescribed by doctor) for an ear infection (swimmer's ear), and reported extremely painful symptoms when using this stuff. Now, she can't hear anything out of her ear. I'm so freaking mad that the doctor prescribed this medicine. Do not use!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
25 Report
  • Mam...
  • December 16, 2019

Cortisporin Otic (hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b) for Middle Ear Infections "My 7-year-old son had ANOTHER ear infection. The minute I tried this new medication, he started crying and rubbing his ear, crying out in pain. His ear turned bright red, and he got a terrible taste in his mouth. I obviously stopped giving it to him. This is the first ear drop that's caused this reaction from him."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • fin...
  • May 12, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Like frustrated, I received these drops for presumed otitis media. My hearing worsened after three days, I was then ordered oral antibiotics but instructed to finish drops. On the sixth day, my hearing became suddenly markedly muffled in my left ear. I saw my PCP despite the pandemic. Negative CT. I was referred to ENT. When they saw my ears, they visualized this 'casting' which, when shown to me on a large screen, looked like a frozen cracked lake on my eardrum. I had to do mineral oil drops twice daily for a few weeks and return. The doctor was able to remove the cast from both eardrums, and my hearing instantly improved. It feels like my ears popped for the first time in 2 months. I am ELATED. He showed me the casts, it looked like crunchy thick Saran wrap - DO NOT USE THESE."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • Con...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 10, 2022

Cortisporin Otic (hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b) for Otitis Externa "In September 2021, I had a lot of itching and burning in my right outer ear canal. It felt like a zit in my ear canal. My ear canal began to get inflamed and wasn't improving, so I went to urgent care. The PA looked in my ear and said my 'eardrum looked inflamed.' She prescribed these otic antibiotic/steroid drops. They instantly caused more itching and burning in my ear, and I noticed that it was drying up in my ear. I now had tinnitus and a feeling of pressure and muffled hearing. My ear canal began to swell up. After four days of this, I did some research and found a lot of reviews on another site where people had increased pain and itching, and loss of hearing and tinnitus. Something most reviews have in common is that people found out their blocked hearing and itching and pain was being caused by this medication drying up on their eardrum and forming a cast. The cast keeps the eardrum from vibrating, which decreases hearing, and caused a muffled or blocked sound in the ear. Don't use."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Ang...
  • January 16, 2021

For Otitis Externa "I've been having swimmer's ear for over a week. I went to the doctor today, and they prescribed me these ear drops. I had a weird gut feeling that these ear drops might mess up my ears. I was right. Used them only three times today. My ears swelled so badly and are so painful. There's crust all over. Bear in mind I had none of these symptoms before I used these. My doctor did not warn me. After reading the other reviews, I will not even continue to the second day. I have to wait till the weekend is over to call my doctor. I am extremely angry. My biggest fear is I will lose my hearing. Always trust your gut feeling, people."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Lin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 26, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "OMG. After having my ear extensively cleaned out from dead skin due to my botched tympanoplasty several years ago, I was given this prescription. Saw the doctor Tuesday and inserted the first 4 drops Wednesday night. I have never felt anything like that. It was the worst pain I have ever inflicted on myself on purpose. Severe burning that extended down into my jaw and mouth. Put the drops in about 10 pm, and at 4:00 am, my ears still had stabbing pains. I am waiting for a return call from the doctor. I will never touch this stuff again and have stored it away after putting a big warning label on it. The doctor never warned me of this possibility, and I had to search online to see that this has happened to others. It cannot possibly be good for you. I only hope it hasn't damaged my ear even more than another doctor already damaged."

Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Lau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 4, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "This was so painful! One day after taking these drops, my ear infection got worse. My ear was so painful to the touch, red, my face was swollen, and it was traveling to my throat. I couldn't breathe, and my heart was racing for hours, I felt like I was having a heart attack. Finally, I realized after three days it was the drops that were causing all these problems. I pray these drops did not cause permanent damage to my lungs and ears, I am still having breathing problems. I go to the ENT and doctor tomorrow to look things over. Worst experience of my life."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Li1...
  • July 18, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Did anyone's tinnitus heal? Please answer? And describe the tinnitus. A few days after using these horrible ear drops, my ear now makes weird noises, like air or swishing noises when I eat, like opening and closing my mouth."

Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Ira...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 17, 2016

Cortisporin Otic (hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b) for Otitis Externa "I had a horrible allergic reaction to the ear drops! The medication made my look like I had a chemical burn on the right side of my face and blister like on my ear. The itching was immune to Benadryl, and I am hoping my face will heal soon."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • May...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 12, 2023

For Otitis Externa "Please don’t use it. I hear a crackling sound, which is irritating me, and don’t know what to do. My ear is so sore, and I have only been using it for 7 days. It’s worse than ever. Please, whoever reads this, medicine needs to be off the market. It’s the worst ever. I don’t know how to stop this crackling sound. It makes me angry. Why do doctors prescribe this crap!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 15, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I went to a new PCP with chief complaints of a migraine, ear infection, sore throat, and nasal drip on March 13th, 2020. The antibiotic did not work, and my ears were still in pain on March 21, 2020. My PCP then called me with a prescription for these hydrocortisone/neomycin/polymyxin B ear drops. My ears got extremely worse than before, making it unbearable. I went to the hospital, and the doctor told me that I still have an ear infection and scarring inside my ears! Both of my ears now have hearing loss, ringing, severe pain, migraines, sinus pain, coughing, memory loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, dry mouth, dry throat, loss of voice, shaking of hands, slow and jerky muscle movements, frequent urination, bowel cramps, feeling about to pass out, dizziness, chest pain, tight chest and breathing problems, loss of appetite, and insomnia. I pray that this medicine is removed from the shelves. It is a dangerous drug, and I pray that it does not cause lifelong threatening complications or even death after using it."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Vad...
  • February 13, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Visited my ear doctor this morning as I have tubes placed, and one seemed to be causing slight pain. The doc noticed I had an active sinus infection and prescribed these drops for the ear with the tube to prevent infection. He placed the first drops while I was in his office. There was a bit of mild discomfort, but nothing too serious. I placed the second dose, and initially all seemed well. Before 3 minutes were up, the pain hit with the fierceness of an F5 hurricane. It hit sudden and was excruciating. With tears in my eyes, I crawled to the bathroom. I had severe dizziness and couldn't stand for fear I'd fall. After I removed as much as I was able and placed a cotton ball in the painful ear. This has greatly helped. These drops are straight from the bowels of a volcano. This drop isn't worth the risk it poses and needs to be off the market!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Not...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 29, 2016

"I went to my doctor for earache relief, and I was prescribed this medication. My doctor knows of my medical history with earaches, ear ruptures, and perforated eardrum. I had my daughter place ear drops into my ear, as soon as she did, I felt a burning going down my ear. I got up screaming in pain and could even taste the medicine. With all the excruciating pain, I ran to the nearest E.R., where I was told by the doctor that he had never seen the entire eardrum membrane missing like it was in my ear. I am waiting to see an ENT, but I too am considering suing for this!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • Can...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 24, 2020

For Otitis Externa "Update... After suffering severe tinnitus for two weeks and being misdiagnosed with a middle ear infection at an urgent care clinic, I was finally able to see an ENT. My eardrum was covered with a thick coat of dried drops. Two visits later, all traces of the drops have been removed, but I am told it will take some time for the ear/brain connection to correct itself. Don’t use these drops."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 8, 2016

For Middle Ear Infections "This was prescribed to my son who has tubes in his ears. It caused him even more pain, and once the crying stopped, it put him in a comatose state for an hour or more each time we put them in. We stopped it even though his doctor said to continue for two more days. I couldn't watch my 2-year-old go through this anymore. We are contemplating a lawsuit against the doctor who prescribed them as it may have caused hearing loss."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2021

For Otitis Externa "This was an awful medicine. Was prescribed this for a mild ear infection with some swelling. Every application worsened symptoms, and within 12 hours, the ear was swollen shut, and I could barely hear out of it. I went to the ER due to hearing loss, and the criminally negligent staff placed an ear wick and insisted I continue using this toxin. Within 48 hours, further applications had caused the pain to spread to the entire left side of my face, worsening noticeably after each application. Was too sensitive to sleep the following night."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • buc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 23, 2020

For Otitis Externa "Went to the ear doctor today, mild discomfort. He looked at my ear, said ear infection, sucked the fluid out, and prescribed these ear drops: 5 drops, 3 times a day. Went and picked them up at the pharmacy. I had no pain, and within one minute, I had pain down my throat, my ear was on fire. The pain was big time, and I'm not allergic or have I had a reaction to medication in my life. Four hours later, it started to settle down. This stuff is already thrown out, and I'll get another antibiotic. This stuff is nasty."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Jes...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 16, 2019

For Otitis Externa "I have bad seasonal allergies that sometimes affect my Eustachian tubes, and I tend to end up with otitis externa in one of my ears as a result. An ENT doctor prescribed these drops. They're very effective and get rid of the pain and swelling that results from this ear infection. The only side effect is that it makes my ear very itchy. I'll apply an itch relief cream like Benadryl around the outside of my ear, and it usually does the trick. Definitely do not use for more than 10 days."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Con...
  • August 25, 2020

"My 12-year-old went to the doctor today for an earache. Diagnosis: middle ear infection. Got antibiotics and these drops. The burning and stinging pain after 3 uses of the drops can’t take anymore. The burning of ears and burning has now gone to the throat area. We have discontinued the drops and are going to get something else. I should have read the reviews first. I don’t recommend these."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.