Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (or Hydrocortisone) Ear Drops

“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (or Hydrocortisone) Ear Drops in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”

Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (or Hydrocortisone) Ear Drops for pets in Perth

(si-proh-flocks-a-sin, decks-a-meth-a-sone, hi-droh-cort-a-sone)

Description:

These ear drops are put on the ear area to help treat ear infections caused by bacteria.

Other Names for this Medication:

Ciprodex®
Cipro® HC

Common Dosage Forms:

One product comes as ciprofloxacin 0.3% plus dexamethasone 0.1% in a 7.5 mL bottle.
Another product comes as ciprofloxacin 0.2% plus hydrocortisone 1% in a 10 mL bottle.

This handout does not include every piece of information that exists for this medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace advice from a medical professional. If you still have questions or need additional details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.

Key Information

This medicine may be used in animals to help with itching and swelling linked to mild bacterial ear infections near the surface.
It contains two types of ingredients:
- an antibiotic (to fight bacteria)
- a steroid (to reduce swelling and irritation)
Do not use this medicine in animals raised for food.
Keep this medicine away from the eyes. Do not put it near the eyes.
After you apply it, stop your animal from licking or cleaning the treated area for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
If allergy testing is planned, stop using this medicine at least 2 weeks before the test.

How is this medication useful?

This product combines ciprofloxacin with dexamethasone (or with hydrocortisone). It is used in animals to reduce ear swelling and irritation that happen because of bacterial ear infections. The product includes an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) and a steroid anti-inflammatory medicine (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone), meaning it helps lower swelling.

In some situations, veterinarians may prescribe and use human medicines that contain these drugs for animals. You can talk with your veterinarian about why this option is being chosen.

What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?

Many things can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together what is best.

Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives. This includes:
- other medicines put on the skin
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
If your animal has had the same problem before, tell your veterinarian what was used last time and whether it helped or did not help.
If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past. Examples include:
- allergic reactions
- not wanting to eat
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss

How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?

This medicine should begin to work within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see the changes from the outside right away.
Your animal should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
The effects last a moderate amount of time, meaning for a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver do not work as well.

When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?

No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.

This medicine SHOULD NOT be used in animals:

If your animal is allergic to ciprofloxacin (or similar antibiotics), dexamethasone, or hydrocortisone.
If your animal has a fungal ear infection (such as a yeast infection).
If your animal’s eardrum is known to be torn, or if a tear is suspected.

This medicine should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:

If your animal is pregnant or being used for breeding.
If your animal gets ear infections again and again.
If your animal has certain kinds of liver disease or has diabetes mellitus (diabetes).

If your animal has any of these conditions, talk with your veterinarian about the possible benefits compared with the possible risks.

What are the side effects of this medication?

In dogs and cats, this medicine is usually handled well.

Side effects that usually are not serious include:

Redness or discomfort where the medicine is applied.

If you notice these signs, you usually do not need to be highly worried unless they are strong, get worse, or keep happening. If that occurs, contact your veterinarian.

Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:

If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.

Redness or discomfort where the medicine is applied that becomes worse or is severe.
An infection that does not improve with treatment, or that is getting worse.
Not wanting to eat, vomiting that does not stop, or diarrhea that does not stop.
Hearing loss that happens suddenly.
Ear pain that continues to get worse.
A head tilt or moving in circles.
Sores forming around the mouth.
Drinking more than usual (for example, often drinking large amounts of water) and/or urinating more often.

If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?

Too much may happen if your animal eats the medicine, if the treated area is a large part of the body, or if an excessive amount is applied.
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance.
When you ask for help, it is recommended that you have the medicine container and the package directions with you.

How should this medication be given?

For this medicine to work properly, use it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed.

Only use this medicine when a veterinarian has prescribed it.
Always read the prescription label and the package directions so you are sure you are using it the right way.
Only cut or trim hair around the ears if it is needed.
Right before use, shake the bottle well.
This medicine is commonly prescribed to be used in the ears two times each day.
Keep it away from your animal’s eyes, mouth, and nose.
Do not let your animal lick or clean the ears. This can slow healing and may bring more infection into the area. Your veterinarian may suggest an Elizabethan collar to stop grooming of the area.
These medicated products may be prescribed for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep using it.
You may need prescription refills before the full treatment is finished.
Before you stop using this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.

What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?

If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
Then continue with the normal schedule.
Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.

How should I store this medication?

Keep this medicine in its original container.
Store it at room temperature, from 20°C to 25°C, and keep it protected from light.
Do not freeze it.
If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a special custom-made version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
Keep it out of reach of children and away from other animals.

Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should take extra care to avoid accidental contact with this medicine.
Because this drug can cause birth defects and can pass into breast milk, pregnant and nursing women should wear disposable gloves when giving doses or handling the medicine.
It is recommended that everyone wear gloves when applying these medicated products.
After applying the medicine, always wash your hands.
If this ointment gets on skin or in eyes, wash the skin or rinse the eyes right away and thoroughly.

How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?

Do not pour these products into a toilet and do not rinse them down a sink.
If your community has a medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
If there is no take-back program, combine the leftover contents with coffee grounds or cat litter. This helps make it unappealing to children and animals and harder for people to recognize if they search through trash.
Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it will not leak.
Throw the sealed bag into the regular trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine to use later.
Do not give leftover medicine to anyone else to use.

What other information is important for this medication?

Steroid-containing products can continue to have effects that may change allergy test results. Unless your veterinarian gives different instructions, stop using steroid-containing products 2 weeks before allergy testing.
After treatment is finished, your veterinarian will need to check your animal’s ears again to confirm the infection and swelling are gone. Do not skip these follow-up visits.
Do not use this medicine for future ear infections unless you have spoken with your veterinarian first.
Some animal competitions may not allow use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.

“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”

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Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (or Hydrocortisone) Ear Drops

Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone (or Hydrocortisone) Ear Drops