1 May 2026Drugs for external use and antiseptics
Ciprofloxacin, ear drops
Ciprofloxacin ear-drop guidance for acute otitis externa and chronic suppurative otitis media, with age-based dosing.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
Indications
- Acute otitis externa.
- Chronic suppurative otitis media.
Forms and strengths
0.3% ear drops.
Dose
- Child 1 year and over: 3 drops 2 times daily.
- Adult: 4 drops 2 times daily.
- To administer drops in the affected ear(s), pull back the auricle and maintain the head to one side for a few minutes.
Duration
- Acute otitis externa: 7 days.
- Chronic suppurative otitis media: until no more drainage is obtained (approximately 2 weeks, max. 4 weeks).
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- May cause headache, local skin eruption, or pruritus.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
- Do not let the dropper touch the hands or the ear.
- Once opened, the solution keeps for 4 weeks.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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