THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR UK PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED CETRAXAL® (CIPROFLOXACIN) OR CETRAXAL PLUS® (CIPROFLOXACIN/FLUOCINOLONE).
Adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.
Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)
The infection causes inflammation within the ear which results in:
Treatment of AOE
As AOE is often caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic eardrops are commonly used as treatment. You have been prescribed an antibiotic called ciprofloxacin in the form of Cetraxal or Cetraxal Plus. Please note this guide covers both medicines.
Cetraxal only contains antibiotic and is used for uncomplicated cases of AOE. The antibiotic kills the bacteria which cause the infection.²
Cetraxal Plus contains a steroid called fluocinolone as well as the antibiotic, so is usually used in cases of more symptomatic AOE with swelling or if your eardrum is, or might be, perforated. The steroid has anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.³
About Cetraxal / Cetraxal Plus
Cetraxal eardrops are very simple to use. Each dose is presented individually in a container known as an ampoule.
The use of these ampoules enables:
Administration: the ampoule sits on the edge of the ear canal and the drops are guided directly into the ear. They can be administered by yourself.
Dosing: each ampoule contains a single dose; so you know exactly how much to administer and cannot use too much or too little by mistake. This means there is less worry in administering in young children.*
Each ampoule is discarded after use.
Treatment: the solution is preservative-free and contains no known sensitising agents (which can make AOE worse).
How to use Cetraxal / Cetraxal Plus**
After washing your hands, gently clean any discharge from the outer ear.
Warm one ampoule in your hands for 1-2 mins.
Twist off the cap of the warmed ampoule.
Lie with the affected ear facing up and empty the contents of the ampoule into the ear.
Wait for the specified time before raising your head:
Cetraxal: up to 5 minutes
Cetraxal Plus: approx. 1 minute
Gently pull on the earlobe in an upwards and outwards motion.
Repeat all steps for the other ear, if necessary.
** ampoules larger for illustrative purposes only, not actual size
Please note, the guidance above should be read in conjunction with the patient information leaflet that accompanies the medication. Please consult your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions or are unsure of how to use Cetraxal/Cetraxal Plus.
Patient Information Leaflets
If you click the link below to access the patient information leaflet, you will leave the Cetraxal website and will be re-directed to an external site; Aspire Pharma is not responsible for the content on external websites.
The link below will take you to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website.
* For use in adults and children aged one year and older
References
Reporting of Side Effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed
in the product’s package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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