Suggest Alternative Medication In Place Of Otosporin

Posted on Wed, 12 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 Answered on

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I used to take Otosporin for my ear infection, but it's discontinued.
My GP gave me a prescription for gentamicin eye/ear drops, but they don't help at all.
What is the prescribed replacement for Otosporin? Can I get it from abroad?

Many thanks
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
otitis externa

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Otitis externa is an infection in the canal. For that drops are used and the most common ones are ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, polymixin B and gentamicin.
All of them should be available overseas.
If the gentamicin is not working I would try the ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin.
If this is an infection in the middle ear then you would need oral antibiotics not drops.
Drops in the ear only treat infections in the ear canal.
Some suggestions for preventing recurrent otitis externa are to not soak in water for long periods of time and to not use Q-tips. Q-tips remove the ear wax which protects the canal and helps prevent infection.
Regards,
Dr Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar