Ciprofloxacin 3mg/ml + Dexamethasone 1mg/ml Ear Drops 5ml

Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone ear drops combine an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin, from the quinolone group) with a steroid (dexamethasone) that reduces swelling and inflammation. At Ways Pharmacy they are supplied for a mild to moderate outer ear infection (acute otitis externa) when the pharmacist judges that an antibiotic and steroid drop is appropriate. They are prescription-only and supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed your symptoms and confirmed that they are suitable.

How to access this medicine

1. Start your free online assessment. Answer the health questions online and confirm your identity (upload photo ID, or show it on a video call).
2. Pharmacist reviews and speaks with you. A GPhC-registered pharmacist contacts you by phone or video. If the pharmacist needs to look inside your ear — for example to rule out a perforated eardrum — they will ask you to come into our Holborn pharmacy for a free otoscope examination. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must join the video call.
3. If suitable, order and pay on this page. Once the pharmacist confirms the medicine is suitable, you order and pay on this page, or call 020 8106 7084. If it is not suitable — including when the pharmacist recommends self-care instead — you pay nothing, and the pharmacist explains your other options. If you have already paid and the pharmacist finds the medicine is not suitable, you receive a full refund.
4. We post your medicine or you collect it. Orders placed by 3pm on a weekday are posted the same day (see our shipping policy), or you can collect from Holborn.

There is no separate consultation fee. If the medicine you chose is not suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option.

About this medicine

Dosage

• Adults and children aged 1 and over: 4 drops into the affected ear twice a day for 7 days
• Shake the bottle well, then warm it in your hand for a few minutes — cold drops can make you feel dizzy
• Lie down or tilt your head with the affected ear facing up, put in the drops, and gently pull the outer ear a few times to help them run in. Stay in this position for about 5 minutes
• Do not let the dropper tip touch your ear or anything else. For use in the ear only — not in the eyes
• Keep the ear dry, avoid swimming, and do not use cotton buds during treatment

Outer ear infections usually start to improve within 48 to 72 hours. Seek advice if the pain gets worse, or if symptoms have not cleared after the 7-day course. See our ear infection service for details.

Warnings and who should not use this medicine

• Children under 1 year
• Anyone allergic to ciprofloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics, to dexamethasone, or to any ingredient, including the preservative benzalkonium chloride
• A perforated eardrum or suspected perforation, grommets, or previous ear surgery
• Signs of a middle ear infection, such as fever, feeling unwell or deep ear pain that is not worse when you move the outer ear
• Severe or rapidly worsening pain, redness spreading onto the face or neck, significant hearing loss, or weakness of one side of the face — get urgent medical help
• Something stuck in the ear, a recent ear injury, or an ear canal swollen shut
• Ear infections that keep coming back or have not improved after previous treatment
• Fungal or viral ear infections, such as herpes or chickenpox affecting the ear
• A weakened immune system with a severe infection, or poorly controlled diabetes with a severe infection
• Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding — these drops are used in pregnancy only if clearly necessary

Possible side effects

The most common side effects are ear pain or discomfort, itching and irritation. Less often, tingling in the ear or a thrush infection in the ear canal can occur, and rarely dizziness or headache. Stop using the drops and seek medical advice at the first sign of a rash or allergic reaction; get urgent help for swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing.

Regulatory information

• Legal status: Prescription-only medicine (POM), supplied under a Patient Group Direction after pharmacist assessment
• Pharmacy: Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · GPhC-registered premises 9012227
• Patient information leaflet: electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)
• Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme

This page gives factual information about a prescription-only medicine and is not an advertisement to the public. It is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.