A practical guide for providers on helping patients locate Ciprodex ear drops. Includes workflow tips, alternatives, and real-time stock tools.
When you prescribe Ciprodex (Ciprofloxacin 0.3%/Dexamethasone 0.1% otic suspension) for an ear infection, you expect your patient to walk into a pharmacy and pick it up. But increasingly, patients are calling back to report that their pharmacy doesn't have it in stock.
As a provider, you can take proactive steps to ensure your patients get timely treatment — whether that means helping them find Ciprodex or smoothly transitioning to an appropriate alternative. Here's a practical guide for your practice.
Ciprodex is not in an official FDA shortage as of early 2026. Alcon Laboratories continues to manufacture and distribute the brand-name product, and generic ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone otic suspension is available from multiple manufacturers.
However, pharmacy-level stock-outs are common due to:
For a comprehensive overview of the supply situation, see our provider shortage briefing for 2026.
From the patient's perspective, several factors compound the problem:
The single most impactful thing you can do is write prescriptions for the generic name: ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone 0.3%/0.1% otic suspension. This allows the pharmacy to dispense whichever version (brand or generic) they have in stock.
Avoid DAW (Dispense as Written) codes for brand-name Ciprodex unless there's a specific clinical reason. The generic is bioequivalent and FDA-approved.
Use Medfinder for Providers to check which pharmacies near your patient have Ciprodex or its generic in stock — before sending the prescription. This takes 30 seconds and can save your patient (and your staff) significant time and frustration.
Train your front-desk or nursing staff to incorporate this check into the prescription workflow, especially during peak ear infection season.
At the point of prescribing, proactively tell your patients:
This simple communication reduces callback volume and empowers patients to solve the problem themselves.
Develop a simple, written protocol for your practice that outlines preferred alternatives when Ciprodex is unavailable. Here's a suggested framework:
For otitis externa (intact tympanic membrane):
For AOM with tympanostomy tubes or perforated TM:
Post this protocol in your EHR or prescribing workflow for easy reference.
Many patients face both availability and affordability barriers. Arm them with resources:
Direct patients to our guide on saving money on Ciprodex or share our provider's guide to helping patients save.
Here's a quick reference table of Ciprodex alternatives for your practice:
Ofloxacin 0.3% Otic Solution
Cortisporin Otic (Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone)
Cipro HC Otic (Ciprofloxacin/Hydrocortisone)
For the patient-facing version of this comparison, see alternatives to Ciprodex for patients.
Ciprodex availability challenges are manageable with a proactive approach. By prescribing generically, checking stock before prescribing, maintaining an alternatives protocol, and empowering patients with tools like Medfinder for Providers, you can ensure your patients receive timely, effective treatment for ear infections — even when their first-choice pharmacy is out of stock.
For more resources, see our Ciprodex shortage briefing for providers and the patient-facing shortage update.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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