Your Pharmacy Doesn't Have Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone — Now What?

You've got a painful ear infection, a prescription for Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone (Cipro HC Otic) ear drops, and an empty pharmacy shelf. It's a frustrating situation, but it's more common than you'd think.

Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone is a niche otic medication that many pharmacies don't stock regularly. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to find. In this guide, we'll share practical tools and tips to help you track down your prescription quickly — so you can start treating your ear infection without wasting time.

Why Is It Hard to Find?

Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand the problem. Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone was a brand-only product (Cipro HC Otic) for over 27 years. The first generic was only approved in December 2025. Because it's used specifically for swimmer's ear (acute otitis externa), many pharmacies don't keep it in regular stock. For a deeper dive, see our article on why Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone is so hard to find.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Search Pharmacy Inventory

The fastest way to find Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone in stock is to use Medfinder. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, Medfinder lets you search for your medication and see which pharmacies near you actually have it available.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone" or "Cipro HC"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which pharmacies near you have it in stock

This can save you hours of phone calls and multiple trips to different pharmacies. It's especially helpful for niche medications like otic drops that aren't stocked everywhere.

Tip 2: Check Independent and Compounding Pharmacies

Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) use centralized inventory systems. If Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone isn't a high-volume item in your area, they may not carry it on the shelf.

Independent pharmacies often have more flexibility:

• They can order from multiple wholesalers
• They may stock a wider variety of specialty medications
• They often provide more personalized service and will go the extra mile to help you find your medication

Compounding pharmacies are another option. While Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone is a manufactured product (not typically compounded), a compounding pharmacy may be able to prepare a similar formulation if you're unable to find the commercial product. Ask your doctor if this is appropriate for your situation.

Tip 3: Call During Off-Peak Hours and Ask to Order

If you're calling pharmacies directly, timing matters:

• Call early in the morning (right when the pharmacy opens) — staff are less busy and more likely to check inventory thoroughly
• Avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons — these are typically the busiest times
• Ask specifically about both brand and generic — the pharmacy may have the new Cosette generic (approved December 2025) even if the brand Cipro HC is out of stock

If they don't have it, ask: "Can you order it from your wholesaler? How soon would it arrive?" Most pharmacies can get medications within 1-2 business days through their regular wholesaler orders.

Tip 4: Ask Your Doctor About Transferring or Alternatives

If your usual pharmacy can't get Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone quickly enough, your doctor's office can help:

• Send the prescription to a different pharmacy — your doctor can e-prescribe to any pharmacy that has it in stock
• Switch to an alternative medication — options like Ofloxacin otic ($25-$40), Ciprodex ($55-$65 with coupon), or Cortisporin ($15-$30) may be more readily available

For a full breakdown of your options, read our guide on alternatives to Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone.

What If You Still Can't Find It?

If you've tried everything and still can't locate Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone:

• Contact your doctor immediately. An untreated ear infection can worsen and lead to complications. Your doctor needs to know you can't get your medication so they can prescribe an alternative.
• Don't skip treatment. Acute otitis externa requires antibiotic treatment. Don't try to wait it out — the infection can spread and become much more painful.
• Try a hospital outpatient pharmacy. Hospital-affiliated pharmacies sometimes carry medications that retail pharmacies don't stock.
• Check mail-order pharmacies. If your infection isn't urgent, a mail-order pharmacy may be able to ship Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone to you within a few days.

How to Save Money When You Find It

Once you locate the medication, cost may still be a concern. Brand-name Cipro HC Otic can cost $350 to $480 without insurance. Here are quick ways to pay less:

• Ask for the generic version (Cosette) — estimated $70-$150
• Use a discount card from GoodRx, SingleCare, or RxSaver
• Check if your insurance covers it — many plans do, especially for the generic

For more detailed savings strategies, visit our article on how to save money on Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone.

Final Thoughts

Finding Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone takes a little extra effort, but it's very doable with the right approach. Start with Medfinder to check stock near you, expand your search to independent pharmacies, and don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist to order it or your doctor to explore alternatives.

The availability picture is improving in 2026 thanks to the first-ever generic, so it should get easier over time. In the meantime, use the tools and tips above to get your ear infection treated as quickly as possible.