Can Eye Drop Medications be Used in the Ear?

Can EYE drop medications be used in the EAR for ear problems like ear infections?

For the most part, absolutely.

For pretty much any EAR drop preparation, there is an equivalent EYE drop preparation which can be used safely in the ear.

Why does this matter?

It's because it may be cheaper for the patient if the EYE drop medication is prescribed rather than the EAR drop medication. Often, it is not unusual for a brand name ear drop medication to be available in generic eye drop form.

NOW... EAR drop medications should NOT be used in the EYE because preservatives used in eye drop preparations are much gentler than those used in ear drops due to the eyeball being much more sensitive compared to the ear. As such, it may burn if ear drops are used in the eye... but not vice-versa.

• Floxin (Ear) equivalent to Ocuflox (Eye)
• Ciprodex (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid dexamethasone
• Cipro HC (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid hydrocortisone
• Cortisporin (neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone) is available in both eye and ear preparations
• Tobradex (Eye) can be used in the ear and is imprecisely similar to Cortisporin (Eye/Ear).

Xyzal and Clarinex Generics Now Available

Xyzal and Clarinex are both anti-histamines used to treat allergies. Both medications are now available as generics by prescription since December 2010. The active ingredient for both xyzal and clarinex are the active stereoisomer of the over-the-counter zyrtec and claritin respectively.

In other words, zyrtec and claritin available over-the-counter contain the same active ingredient found in xyzal and clarinex, but in an "un-purified" state. Still confused? Read this article which probably contains more information than you ever wanted on this subject.