What is this medicine?
OFLOXACIN (oh FLOKS a sin) is a quinolone antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial ear infections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Back to Top
What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Floxin Otic 0.3% Solution | DAIICHI PHARMACEUTICAL CORP | 10/$142.91 or 30/$392.48 |
| Floxin Otic 0.3% Solution | DAIICHI PHARMACEUTICAL CORP | 5/$79.8 or 15/$226.78 |
| Ocuflox 0.3% Solution | ALLERGAN | 10/$91.61 or 30/$260.65 |
| Ocuflox 0.3% Solution | ALLERGAN | 5/$52.99 or 15/$145.97 |
| Ofloxacin 0.3% Solution | FALCON PHARMACEUTICALS | 5/$17.99 or 15/$51.97 |
| Ofloxacin 0.3% Solution | APOTEX | 10/$92.99 or 30/$276.96 |
| Ofloxacin 0.3% Solution | APOTEX | 5/$59.99 or 15/$159.98 |
| Ofloxacin 0.3% Solution | FALCON PHARMACEUTICALS | 10/$40 or 30/$118.51 |
Back to Top
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- burning, blistering, itching, and redness
- dizziness
- rash
- worsening ear pain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- abnormal sensation in the ear
- bad taste in mouth
- unpleasant sensation while putting the drops in the ear
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Back to Top
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is only for use in the ear. Wash your hands with soap and water. Do not insert any object or swab into the ear canal. Gently warm the bottle by holding it in the hand for 1 to 2 minutes. Gently clean any fluid that can be easily removed from the outer ear. Lie down on your side with the infected ear up. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your ear, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the bottle gently to put the prescribed number of drops in the ear canal.
For ear canal infections, gently pull the outer ear upward and backward to help the drops flow down into the ear canal. For middle ear infections, press the skin-covered cartilage in the front part of the ear 4 times in a pumping motion to allow the drops to pass through the hole or tube in the eardrum. Keep lying down with the ear up for about 5 minutes to make sure the drops stay in the ear. Repeat the steps for the other ear if both ears are infected. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your doctor or health care professional even if you think your condition is better.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months of age and older for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
Back to Top
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
Back to Top
What may interact with this medicine?
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other ear products without talking to your doctor or health care professional.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Back to Top
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Hypersensitivity to ofloxacin, other quinolones, or any ingredient in the formulation.
Back to Top
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your ear infection does not get better in a few days. After you finish the full course of treatment, tell your doctor or health care professional if you have two or more episodes of drainage from the ear within 6 months.
It is important that you keep the infected ear(s) clean and dry. When bathing, try not to get the infected ear(s) wet. Do not go swimming unless your doctor or health care professional has told you otherwise.
To prevent the spread of infection, do not share ear products, or share towels and washcloths with anyone else.
Back to Top
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- difficulty hearing
- an unusual or allergic reaction to ofloxacin, quinolone antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Back to Top
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Back to Top
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Back to Top
Where can I get more information?
More Information
Back to Top
Drug Info Tools