Precautions and Warnings With Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone

Talk to your doctor before using ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone if you have certain allergies or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Other important precautions and warnings to be aware of include an increased risk for developing a yeast infection or potentially serious allergic reactions. Also, you should not use this medicine if you have a viral outer ear infection, such as a herpes ear infection.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Using Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone (Ciprodex®) if you have any allergies, including allergies to medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone Precautions and Warnings

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to using this drug include the following:
 
  • Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is an ear drop and should only be used in the ears. Do not take it by mouth, put it in your nose or eyes, or apply it to your skin.
     
  • Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone will not kill all types of organisms that may cause an ear infection. Therefore, if your infection seems to get worse, or if it has not improved within a week, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need a different medication.
     
  • Use of ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone may rarely cause a fungal or yeast infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience persistent discomfort or itching in your ears or notice pus coming from your ears. Also, contact your healthcare provider if you notice white patches in your mouth or throat or flaky, itchy, or red skin.
     
  • When taken orally, ciprofloxacin (one of the active ingredients in ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone), has been reported to cause severe allergic reactions. Although this type of reaction is not likely with ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone (since very little of it is absorbed into the bloodstream), seek immediate medical attention if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
     
    • A rash
    • Hives
    • Itching
    • Swelling of the lips or throat
    • Wheezing
    • Difficulty breathing.
 
  • Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is unlikely to interact with other medications (see Drug Interactions With Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone).
     
  • Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is a pregnancy Category C medication, which means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are currently unknown (see Ciprodex and Pregnancy for more information).
     
  • It is unknown if ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding a child, check with your healthcare provider before using this medication (see Ciprodex and Breastfeeding).
     
Precautions and Warnings With Ciprofloxacin/Dexamethasone Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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