Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Ofloxacin eardrops comes with patient information and instructions (Medication Guide). Be sure to read these instructions before using the eardrops . If you have any questions, check with your doctor or health care professional.

To use:

  • Hold the bottle in your hands for 1 or 2 minutes to warm up the solution before putting it in your ear. Otherwise, putting cold solution in your ear could cause you to become dizzy.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Gently clean any discharge that can be removed easily from the outer ear, but do not insert any object or swab into the ear canal.
  • If you are using the eardrops for a middle ear infection—Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Then, gently press the tragus of the ear (see the diagram in the Medication Guide) four times in a pumping motion. This will allow the drops to pass through the hole or tube in the eardrum and into the middle ear.
  • If you are using the eardrops for an ear canal infection—Gently pull the outer ear up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal. This will allow the eardrops to flow down into the ear canal.
  • Keep the ear facing up for about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
  • If both ears are being treated, turn over after 5 minutes, and repeat the application for the other ear.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For eardrops dosage form:
    • For ear infections:
      • Adults and teenagers (12 years of age and older)—Place 10 drops in each affected ear two times a day for ten to fourteen days, depending on the infection.
      • Children 1 to 12 years of age—Place 5 drops in each affected ear two times a day for ten days.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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