Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride and Hydrocortisone is a prescription medicine (Corticosteroid). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Cipro Hc
- Drug class
- Corticosteroid
- Taken
- Auricular (otic)
- Label
- Sandoz Inc, revised May 29, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (1 company) · details
What it is used for
Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension is indicated for the treatment of acute otitis externa in adult and pediatric patients, one year and older, due to susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus , and Proteus mirabilis .
Who should not take it (contraindications)
Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension is contraindicated in persons with a history of hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone, ciprofloxacin, or any member of the quinolone class of antimicrobial agents. This nonsterile product should not be used if the tympanic membrane is known or suspected to be perforated. Use of this product is contraindicated in viral infections of the external canal, including varicella and herpes simplex infections.
Warnings
NOT FOR OPHTHALMIC USE. NOT FOR INJECTION. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension should be discontinued at the first appearance of a skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions, some following the first dose, have been reported in patients receiving systemic quinolones. Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions may require immediate emergency treatment. The dropper cap contains natural rubber (latex) which may cause severe allergic reactions.
Precautions
General: As with other antibiotic preparations, use of this product may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If the infection is not improved after one week of therapy, cultures should be obtained to guide further treatment. Information for Patients: If rash or allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately and contact your physician. Do not use in the eyes. Avoid contaminating the dropper with material from the ear, fingers, or other sources. Protect from light. Shake well immediately before using. Discard unused portion after therapy is completed. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Eight in vitro mutagenicity tests have been conducted with ciprofloxacin, and the test results are listed below: Salmonella/Microsome Test (Negative) E. coli DNA Repair Assay (Negative) Mouse Lymphoma Cell Forward Mutation Assay (Positive) Chinese Hamster V 79 Cell HGPRT Test (Negative) Syrian Hamster Embryo Cell Transformation Assay (Negative) Saccharomyces cerevisiae Point Mutation Assay (Negative) Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitotic Crossover and Gene Conversion Assay (Negative) Rat Hepatocyte DNA Repair Assay (Positive) Thus, 2 of the 8 tests were positive, but results of the following 3 in vivo test systems gave negative results: Rat Hepatocyte DNA Repair Assay Micronucleus Test (Mice) Dominant Lethal Test (Mice) Long-term carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats have been completed for ciprofloxacin. After daily oral doses of 750 mg/kg (mice) and 250 mg/kg (rats) were administered for up to 2 years, there was no evidence that ciprofloxacin had any carcinogenic or tumorigenic effects in these species. No long-term studies of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential. Fertility studies performed in rats at oral doses of ciprofloxacin up to 100 mg/kg/day revealed no evidence of impairment. This would be over 1000 times the maximum recommended clinical dose of ototopical ciprofloxacin based upon body surface area, assuming total absorption of ciprofloxacin from the ear of a patient treated with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension twice per day. Long-term studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of topical hydrocortisone. Mutagenicity studies with hydrocortisone were negative. Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and mice using oral doses of up to 100 mg/kg and IV doses up to 30 mg/kg and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus as a result of ciprofloxacin. In rabbits, ciprofloxacin (30 and 100 mg/kg orally) produced gastrointestinal disturbances resulting in maternal weight loss and an increased incidence of abortion, but no teratogenicity was observed at either dose. After intravenous administration of doses up to 20 mg/kg, no maternal toxicity was produced in the rabbit, and no embryotoxicity or teratogenicity was observed. Corticosteroids are generally teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. The more potent corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension. No adequate and well-controlled studies have been performed in pregnant women. Caution should be exercised when ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension is used by a pregnant woman. Nursing Mothers: Ciprofloxacin is excreted in human milk with systemic use. It is not known whether ciprofloxacin is excreted in human milk following topical otic administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
In Phase 3 clinical trials, a total of 564 patients were treated with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension. Adverse events with at least remote relationship to treatment included headache (1.2%) and pruritus (0.4%). The following treatment-related adverse events were each reported in a single patient: migraine, hypesthesia, paresthesia, fungal dermatitis, cough, rash, urticaria, and alopecia. The following reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension, or a combination of these factors, include: dizziness, ear canal erythema, ear congestion, hypoacusis, and medication residue. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects: Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and mice using oral doses of up to 100 mg/kg and IV doses up to 30 mg/kg and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus as a result of ciprofloxacin. In rabbits, ciprofloxacin (30 and 100 mg/kg orally) produced gastrointestinal disturbances resulting in maternal weight loss and an increased incidence of abortion, but no teratogenicity was observed at either dose. After intravenous administration of doses up to 20 mg/kg, no maternal toxicity was produced in the rabbit, and no embryotoxicity or teratogenicity was observed. Corticosteroids are generally teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. The more potent corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension. No adequate and well-controlled studies have been performed in pregnant women. Caution should be exercised when ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension is used by a pregnant woman.
Breastfeeding
Ciprofloxacin is excreted in human milk with systemic use. It is not known whether ciprofloxacin is excreted in human milk following topical otic administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Use in children
The safety and efficacy of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone otic suspension have been established in pediatric patients 2 years and older (131 patients) in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials. Efficacy has been extrapolated for patients, age 1 year and above based on studies in adults and older pediatric patients.
Is there a generic Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride and Hydrocortisone?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride and Hydrocortisone from 1 company, and the approval is active. The earliest of these was approved in 2025.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.
Companies with an approved generic
Cosette Pharms Nc
Brand-name versions
- Cipro Hc Sandoz, approved 1998
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and hydrocortisone in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Products being discontinued
| Product | Availability | Expected supply / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cipro, Otic Suspension/Drops, 0.2% base, 1% (NDC 66758-087-70) Sandoz Inc. |
Discontinuation of the manufacturing of NDC 66758-087-70. Authorized generic is available under new NDC 0781-6218-70 Being discontinued · October 30, 2026 |
Recalls
No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID c0881bbe-cc95-45d4-9878-3bc8946eff26.