Treatment of acute otitis externa with ciprofloxacin otic 0.2% antibiotic ear solution.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:

An inflammation of the cutis and subcutis of the external auditory canal is a primary symptom in cases of acute otitis externa. It is usually treated locally, since this type of therapy ensures a high concentration of the drug and interacts at the site of inflammation with no systemic effects. This systematic review compares the efficacy of treatment using a ciprofloxacin 0.2% solution with other therapeutic options.

METHODS:

After compiling a catalog of search terms, medical databases were searched systematically for randomized, controlled studies. This search initially yielded a total of 38 studies which were then evaluated by three independent reviewers. The number of studies was subsequently reduced to 14: six studies using a ciprofloxacin 0.2% solution, and eight studies using both 0.2% and 0.3% solutions.

RESULTS:

The studies included in the review demonstrate the statistical equivalence between the ciprofloxacin solution (0.2%) and the reference products PNH (a combination of polymyxin B, neomycin sulfate and hydrocortisone), auriculum powder, and a ciprofloxacin foam with respect to the cure rate. The research groups consistently observed high in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

CONCLUSION:

This systematic review confirms the hypothesis of ciprofloxacin's noninferiority in the treatment of otitis externa, in terms of the cure rate and microbiological eradication.

• Authors: R Mösges, M Nematian-Samani, A Eichel
• Journal: Therapeutics and clinical risk management (Ther Clin Risk Manag) Vol. 7 Pg. 325-36 ( 2011) ISSN: 1178-203X [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 21845055 (Publication Type: Journal Article)