Ciprofloxacin in Otitis Externa Management: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions-Scilight

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Ciprofloxacin in Otitis Externa Management: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions

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https://doi.org/10.54963/entu.v15i2.1137
Wajan Alqathanin, Mohammed Kanan, Khulud Ghazwani, Sarah Alsaggaf, Renad A. Alshehri, Wasayef Alqhtani, Abeer Alamri, Alya Alhider, Wajin Alruwili, Sarah Saeed, Banan Alsufayan, Afnan Algarni, Banh Alghadyah, Amjad S. Alqarni, & Naif Al-Rasheedi. (2025). Ciprofloxacin in Otitis Externa Management: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions. ENT Updates, 15(2), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.54963/entu.v15i2.1137
Volume 15 Issue 2 (2025)
Copyright (c) 2025 Wajan Alqathanin, Mohammed Kanan, Khulud Ghazwani, Sarah Alsaggaf, Renad A. Alshehri, Wasayef Alqhtani, Abeer Alamri, Alya Alhider, Wajin Alruwili, Sarah Saeed, Banan Alsufayan, Afnan Algarni, Banh Alghadyah, Amjad S. Alqarni, Naif Al-Rasheedi
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors

  • Wajan Alqathanin

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed Kanan

    Department of Pharmacy, Rafha General Hospital, Northern Border Health Cluster, Rafha 76321, Saudi Arabia
  • Khulud Ghazwani

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait 62413, Saudi Arabia
  • Sarah Alsaggaf

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
  • Renad A. Alshehri

    Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia
  • Wasayef Alqhtani

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait 62413, Saudi Arabia
  • Abeer Alamri

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait 62413, Saudi Arabia
  • Alya Alhider

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia
  • Wajin Alruwili

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
  • Sarah Saeed

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait 62413, Saudi Arabia
  • Banan Alsufayan

  • Afnan Algarni

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
  • Banh Alghadyah

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
  • Amjad S. Alqarni

    Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia
  • Naif Al-Rasheedi

    Pharmaceutical Services Department, Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital, King Khalid Military City, Hafr Al Batin 31991, Saudi Arabia

Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, plays a crucial role in treating otitis externa, which is a common inflammatory disorder of the outer ear canal. This review examines the effectiveness and safety of ciprofloxacin in managing otitis externa, with a focus on its pharmacological properties, antibacterial effects, and outcomes. This review highlights the potent activity of ciprofloxacin against the primary pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and its ability to penetrate the auditory canal, making it ideal for treating ear infections. The use of oral ciprofloxacin in severe cases, particularly in malignant otitis externa, is also discussed. This review explores the benefits and drawbacks of topical and oral ciprofloxacin formulations and the rationale for combining these routes in complex cases. Special attention should be given to prescribing ciprofloxacin to vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women. The increasing prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs in combating resistance are emphasized. This review addresses drug interactions and monitoring strategies. Future directions in otitis externa treatment are discussed, including the development of safer quinolones, advancements in targeted drug delivery systems, and progress in diagnostic tools for antibiotic selection. This review underscores the significance of ciprofloxacin in managing otitis externa while highlighting the need for judicious use and research to optimize outcomes and mitigate resistance risk.

Keywords:

Otitis Externa Ciproϐloxacin Antimicrobial Resistance Antibiotics Efϐicacy Safety

Author Biography

Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia

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