Can't find Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone (Cipro HC)? Here are the best alternative ear drops for swimmer's ear, including Ofloxacin, Ciprodex, and Cortisporin.
Your doctor prescribed Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone ear drops for your ear infection, but your pharmacy doesn't have it. Before you panic, know this: there are several effective alternatives that treat the same condition. Your doctor can switch your prescription, often with a quick phone call.
In this article, we'll explain what Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone is, how it works, and walk you through the best alternatives available in 2026.
Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone (brand name: Cipro HC Otic) is a prescription ear drop used to treat acute otitis externa — commonly called swimmer's ear. It's an infection of the outer ear canal that causes pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes discharge.
The medication is a combination of two active ingredients:
For a deeper look at the science, check out our article on how Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone works.
When you put the drops in your ear, Ciprofloxacin goes to work killing the bacteria in your ear canal. It does this by blocking enzymes (DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV) that bacteria need to copy their DNA and multiply. Without these enzymes, the bacteria die.
At the same time, Hydrocortisone calms down the inflammatory response — reducing the swelling, redness, itching, and pain that make ear infections so miserable. Together, the two ingredients attack the infection from both angles: fighting the cause and easing the symptoms.
Because this is a topical medication applied directly to the ear, very little is absorbed into your bloodstream. This means fewer systemic side effects compared to oral antibiotics.
Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone was a brand-only product for over 27 years. The first generic just launched in December 2025. Because it's a niche otic medication, many pharmacies don't keep it consistently in stock. For more details, read why Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone is hard to find.
Ofloxacin otic is often considered the first-line treatment for acute otitis externa. Like Ciprofloxacin, it's a fluoroquinolone antibiotic — so it kills bacteria in a similar way.
Key details:
Best for: Patients who need an affordable, readily available fluoroquinolone ear drop. It's also preferred when a perforated eardrum is suspected, as it's considered safe for middle ear exposure.
Ciprodex is the closest alternative to Cipro HC. It combines the same antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) with a different steroid (Dexamethasone instead of Hydrocortisone).
Key details:
Best for: Patients who want the Ciprofloxacin + steroid combination but can't find Cipro HC. Also a good choice if you have ear tubes.
Cortisporin is an older, well-established ear drop that combines two antibiotics with Hydrocortisone.
Key details:
Important caution: Neomycin (one of the antibiotics in Cortisporin) carries a risk of ototoxicity — meaning it can potentially damage hearing if it reaches the middle ear through a perforated eardrum. Your doctor will only prescribe this if your eardrum is intact. Some patients are also allergic to Neomycin.
Best for: Patients who need an affordable antibiotic + steroid ear drop and have an intact eardrum.
VoSol HC takes a different approach. Instead of an antibiotic, it uses acetic acid (essentially vinegar) to create an acidic environment in the ear canal that's hostile to bacteria and fungi.
Key details:
Best for: Mild cases of swimmer's ear, or as a preventive treatment for people prone to recurrent ear infections. Not suitable for severe or deeply established infections.
If you can't find Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone, don't worry — there are several proven alternatives that treat swimmer's ear effectively. The key is to talk to your doctor so they can choose the best option for your specific situation.
In the meantime, you can use Medfinder to search for Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone or any of these alternatives at pharmacies near you. And for tips on getting your original prescription filled, check out our guide on how to find Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone in stock.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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