In children and adults with an ear infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics for ear infection to help relieve pain and inflammation. Although antibiotics are powerful medicines, they should always be taken after consulting a doctor. If you suspect that an antibiotic may cause the pain, call your doctor and schedule an appointment. You should also follow your doctor’s recommendations to ensure that you’re receiving the right dosage for your child. Here are some common antibiotics for ear infections:

Ciprofloxacin

Before taking the medication, make sure you have a clean and dry ear. Do not insert objects into the ear canal when using the drops. Instead, gently warm the medicine bottle in your hands, and shake it before using it. Then, insert the medicine into the ear, keeping your fingers away from the dropper. Stay in this position for 30 to 60 seconds, and repeat this process for the other ear.

Another study examined the possibility of ototoxicity from alternative topical drops. In this study, 2.7% of patients exhibited symptoms after treatment. The reason may be due to ototoxicity, so it is not recommended to use these drops with higher drug concentrations. Instead, doctors are now recommending the use of swabs for directing therapy, which may include potentially ototoxic preparations. In the meantime, whether or not ciprofloxacin is effective in treating ear infections remains unanswered. As for other antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, ciprofloxacin is still the most commonly prescribed. However, be aware of the possible side effects of ciprofloxacin.

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a medication used to treat ear infections. This medication contains an anti-inflammatory drug, neomycin sulfate. It is equivalent to 3500 IU of neomycin, an antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is a prescription medication and is not available over the counter. It is used to treat moderate to severe cases of ear infection.

This medicine should be sprayed into the affected ear twice daily. This spray should be used for two days after the symptoms are gone. Do not use this medicine for more than seven days. Use it as soon as you remember, but make an appointment to see a doctor when you notice symptoms. Keeping the affected ear elevated and lying down for about 60 seconds is also important. This will help relieve pain and help prevent further infection.

Ototopical antibiotics

Ototopical antibiotics are not systemic medications. The antibiotics used in these preparations are administered directly to the infection site, reducing the risk of developing drug-resistant strains of bacteria. Ototopical antibiotics also alter the microenvironment of the ear canal, which is slightly acidic. Hence, they enhance the natural defense mechanism of the ear and make it inhospitable for bacterial growth. Ototopical antibiotics are generally less expensive than systemic antibiotics.