Ciprodex

The usual dose of Ciprodex for both middle and outer ear infections is 4 drops into the affected ear twice a day (about 12 hours apart) for 7 days. The person giving or using the medication should wash their hands with soap and water first. To avoid dizziness, warm the ear drops in the palm of your hand for 1 to 2 minutes before using. Shake the bottle well immediately before using. The simplest way to put drops in the ear is to lie down with the affected ear up. Drop the medication directly into the ear. You or your child should remain in that position for 60 seconds so the drops don't leak out.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct method of using ear drops. The procedure is different for children than for adults. The procedure also differs whether there are tubes in the ear or not. Ciprodex is intended for use only as ear drops. Do not apply Ciprodex to your eyes.

It is important to use Ciprodex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Continue using Ciprodex for the period of time prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better. Stopping the medication too early may cause the bacteria to return and be harder to treat. If there is no improvement in the infection after you have been using the medication for one week, contact your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Ciprodex at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children. After treatment has finished, safely discard any remaining drops in the dropper bottle. Do not keep any leftover medication for future use.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause itching at the site where the medication is used; it may cause local pain. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each mL of otic suspension contains ciprofloxacin HCl (equivalent to ciprofloxacin base 3 mg) and dexamethasone 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, benzalkonium chloride 0.1 mg as preservative, boric acid, edetate disodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, purified water, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and tyloxapol. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added for adjustment of pH.

Do not use Ciprodex if you:

• are allergic to dexamethasone, ciprofloxacin, or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any of the medications belonging to the class of medications called quinolones (e.g., levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, Ofloxacin, Norfloxacin, nalidixic acid)
• are allergic to any other corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone, Hydrocortisone)
• have viral infections of the external ear, including chicken pox and herpes simplex
• have an ear infection caused by yeast or fungi

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ciprodex.

Allergic reactions: Ciprofloxacin may cause a skin rash. If you notice skin rashes, skin blisters, itchy skin, Hives, or other signs of an allergic reaction, stop using the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Overgrowth of organisms: As with other antibiotics, treatment with Ciprodex may allow normal fungus, yeast, or types of bacteria not killed by the antibiotic to overgrow, causing unwanted infections. If the infection is not improved after one week of therapy, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: Ciprodex should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ciprodex, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Ciprodex may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using ciprofloxacin - dexamethasone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Ciprodex have not been established for children under 6 months old.

This medication is for the ear. To use: Shake the container gently. Tilt your head to the side opposite the affected ear. Put a few drops in the opening of the affected ear. Gently pull the ear lobe down, and back and forth, to ensure that the medication penetrates the ear canal properly. Keep your head tilted for about 2 minutes. Return head to the normal position and wipe any excess medication from the external ear. To avoid contaminating the medication, do not let the tip of the applicator touch your fingers or your ear. Close the container tightly after each use. Do not put cotton or tissue into the ear canal. Eardrops should be used within 1 or 2 months of opening, although the time period may vary from one product to another. Ask your pharmacist how long you can keep this medication. Continue using the product to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even after improvement is seen or felt. This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Use it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, apply it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed one. Do not apply more to try to catch up.