Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic and Pain: 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2022

For Otitis Externa "I’m disgusted with this stuff. I used it for two days. It did nothing but make the pain worse! After a couple of days without it, my stupid butt decided I might have a little infection left, so I gave myself another dose! Now the pain is back! I know it’s this rubbish. Do not use!"

• 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."

• paw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2016

For Otitis Externa "I have been using these ear drops for 4 days now. I had itching in my right ear and pain in my left. The doctor said it was a mild skin infection/irritation. When I put the drops in the right ear, the itching becomes intense for a few minutes. But it does seem to help in the long run. The drops in the left ear I can hardly feel. That ear seems 'full.' The pain seems to have been alleviated though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Like so many other reviews, I was prescribed this drug for an external ear infection. After completing the drops, my hearing sounded slightly muffled, and I can hear a crackling sound. My ear became incredibly itchy and painful all the way out to my earlobe. Went back and got oil drops, they seem to be helping remove the crust that has formed over my eardrum and soothe the rest of my irritated skin."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "Lost hearing in my ear using this med. Finally went to a specialist, he said this seeped into the inner ear. Could cause a problem. Pain unbearable. User beware. Don't use this product."

• Sua...
• December 21, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "Big swelling and pain on the eyebrow of the infected ear that I used drops in."