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

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• LAD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Used the neomycin and polymyxin B ear drop prior to going to bed. I was awakened about 4:30 a.m., with a severe itch and stinging in and around my right ear. I used the drop the next morning and noticed I began to itch worse and continued, leading to bumps, redness, a swollen and scaly ear that feels like rubber to the touch. I decided not to use it again. I called the doctor and was prescribed other meds to treat it. I'm praying it gets better and goes away very soon."

• Kat...
• August 24, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "I got water stuck in my ear 2 weeks prior and could hear it slosh around every once in a while, and it started to be tender to the touch. Called Teladoc on a Saturday to see if they would rx me something to help. I was prescribed these awful drops and started them Saturday late afternoon. The first dose was fine, but it was during my second dose that night that I started having excruciating pain and loss of hearing in my ear. My whole neck and cheek were swollen, and I couldn’t chew. It was worse than before I started the drops. I thought if I continued to use them, it would get better. I was wrong, I continued for another day and a half and was in bed with throbbing pain at all times. The only thing that gave me brief relief was a hot rice pack. I went into my Dr. that Monday and had a 101 fever and 123 HR. My Dr. said my ear canal was so swollen he couldn’t see past it. My symptoms didn’t turn until I started these drops! Spare yourself and please do not use these drops, throw them away!"

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2023

For Middle Ear Infections "My ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor prescribed this medication for an inner and outer ear infection. I informed the doctor about a perforation in my eardrum, but the prescription was given nonetheless. The medication did not work and caused my outer ear to swell up, including my earlobe, after the first dose. I used the drug twice a day, four drops each time, in only my left ear for a week, but it was ineffective. Currently, my ear feels full and the left side of my face and neck have a sensation of stiffness. The doctor initially wanted to prescribe drops with Cipro, but I have peripheral neuropathy from taking oral Cipro in the past, so the doctor gave me neomycin-based drops instead. However, these drops caused further harm to my left ear, where I already have diminished hearing and a high-pitched sound that won't go away. Unfortunately, the infection remains, and I am frustrated that another medication has affected my nervous system. I no longer have confidence in my doctor."

• Avo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

For Otitis Externa "I’ve taken these before with little to no results, so when the urgent care doctor prescribed these, I knew they wouldn’t work. That would have been the least of my worries. Now, 8 days later, and after being prescribed a Z pack from my primary, my ears are still itchy, irritated, and I have a nasty rash and swelling of my right earlobe. Next time someone tries to prescribe these, I will refuse."

• emm...
• September 12, 2018

For Middle Ear Infections "Totally ineffective. SUPER PAINFUL. After the second dose, it left my ear throbbing and swollen with shooting pains for almost 24 hours straight."

• Sua...
• December 21, 2018

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