Ofloxacin is a
fluoroquinolone antibacterial with potent bactericidal activities and the topical otological preparation of this
drug has been clinically utilised since the late 1980s. The rate of eradication with
ofloxacin ranges from 83.3% to 100% for all pathogens commonly isolated from
middle ear effusions in cases of
otitis media and
otitis externa. Despite the significant length of its usage, emergence of resistant pathogens has been rarely encountered in clinical trials; only two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been documented with decreased susceptibility to
ofloxacin following the use of the otic
solution.Ear
infections, including
otitis externa, chronic
suppurative otitis media and otorrhoea associated with
tympanostomy tubes, are common problems in clinical practice. The potential complications associated with
ear infection can be otological, extratemporal, or even psychosocial. They are sometimes fatal and the effect can be long-lasting and detrimental. The use of an effective topical antibacterial with high cost-effectiveness is definitely warranted. As regards various clinical aspects, including overall success rate, symptomatic relief of
otalgia and otorrhoea,
ofloxacin otic
solution was found to be more effective than comparator agents, be it a topical antibacterial, a systemic antibacterial or combination drugs. The systemic absorption of
fluoroquinolones is minimal after topical application.
Ofloxacin otic
solution 0.3% has been shown to have a low rate of
adverse drug reactions. Adverse reactions to
ofloxacin otic
solution were generally mild. The lack of ototoxic effect from
ofloxacin eardrops, even in the concentration higher than 0.3%, has been demonstrated in animal studies. In the clinical setting, no increase in bone-conduction threshold has been shown after the treatment of topical
ofloxacin otic
solution. There have not been any reports of
ototoxicity with
ofloxacin otic
solution since its approval. To conclude,
ofloxacin otic
solution 0.3% is clinically effective in the treatment of
otitis externa and chronic
suppurative otitis media in particular with respect to the overall cure rate, relief of
otalgia and otorrhoea. It is well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects. It is not associated with any
ototoxicity both experimentally and clinically.