Empiric Therapy Regimens
Empiric therapeutic regimens for otitis externa are outlined below, including those for chronic otitis externa, uncomplicated bacterial infection, uncomplicated fungal infection, and malignant otitis externa. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Chronic otitis externa
See the list below:
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Neomycin-polymyxin B–hydrocortisone otic 5 drops in the affected ear QID
Uncomplicated bacterial infection
See the list below:
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Acetic Acid 2% with or without hydrocortisone otic 4 drops in the affected ear QID for 7d or
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Ciprofloxacin-hydrocortisone otic 3 drops in the affected ear BID for 7d or
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Neomycin-polymyxin B–hydrocortisone otic 4 drops in the affected ear TID or QID for 10d or
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Ofloxacin 0.3% otic 10 drops in the affected ear once daily for 7d
Uncomplicated fungal infection
See the list below:
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Clotrimazole 1% otic 4 drops in the affected ear QID for 7d
Malignant otitis externa
See the list below:
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Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q12h for 14d or
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Cefepime 2 g IV q12h or
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Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 mg IV q8h