Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic and Burning: What Users Say

• 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."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Not...
• October 7, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Was given this stuff from an ENT. It made my ear feel worse, after three days of using, loss of hearing. Very annoyed this was given to me with a horrible review list all over the web. I was clogged up from this, and my jaw started to hurt as well. I recommend using cotton with drops of oil of oregano on the cotton. Then lightly set it in the ear, what you want is the vapor to fill the ear. Don't put the oil by itself in your ear, for it can burn a little."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2021

For Middle Ear Infections "I am supposed to be on these ear drops for 10 days, leading up to my next ENT appointment. I have a tube in the ear I’m prescribed the drops for, and when using ear drops with a tube, you’re told to “pump” your tragus with your finger a couple of times in order to push the fluid further into your sinuses. I put 4 drops in and immediately felt a burning in the back of my face. I pumped it twice, like normal, and felt the most intense, immediate pain to the point where I couldn’t stay silent in my apartment. I had to yell and make sounds to deal with the pain. My ear was in pain and full of fluid for about an hour after. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take them 3 times a day for ten days, as the pain is excruciating, and I don’t think I’ll be taking them at all anymore."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2017

For Otitis Externa "Started it today after a 7-day course of Ciprodex failed to work. This stuff burns badly, so I hope it works!!!"

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

For Otitis Externa "These drops worked on my otitis externa (outer ear infection), never once burned. In 48-72 hrs, inflammation was about gone and no more ear pain. It never burned at all."