Ofloxacin Otic Drops for Ear Infection

Overseen by Kenneth R. Whittemore, MD, MS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 4

Recruiting

Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital

Disqualifiers: Concomitant procedures, Conductive hearing loss, Craniofacial abnormalities, others

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if using Floxin ear drops can prevent complications like tube blockage and ear drainage in patients without fluid behind their eardrum. Ofloxacin ear drops have been used in previous studies to prevent postoperative blockage of tympanic ventilation tubes and infection.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Ofloxacin otic solution for ear infections?

Research shows that Ofloxacin otic solution is more effective than other ear drops and oral antibiotics in curing ear infections, reducing symptoms like ear pain and discharge, and eliminating bacteria. It also has fewer side effects compared to other treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Ofloxacin Otic Drops safe for treating ear infections?

Ofloxacin Otic Drops have been used since the late 1980s and are generally safe for treating ear infections, with minimal adverse effects reported. They are not associated with ototoxicity (damage to the ear) and have a low rate of adverse reactions, which are usually mild. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How is the drug Ofloxacin otic solution unique in treating ear infections?

Ofloxacin otic solution is unique because it is a topical ear drop that delivers high concentrations of the drug directly to the site of infection, making it highly effective against common ear pathogens. It has minimal systemic absorption, reducing the risk of side effects, and is not associated with ototoxicity (damage to the ear), unlike some other treatments. ^{1 4 7 9 10}

Research Team

Kenneth R. Whittemore, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Boston Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 6 months to 10 years with a history of Eustachian tube dysfunction or recurrent ear infections needing ear tube surgery, without fluid behind the eardrum on surgery day. Caregivers must understand and follow the study rules. Kids can't join if they're having other procedures like adenoidectomy at the same time, have conductive hearing loss, craniofacial abnormalities, Trisomy 21, primary ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis or immunodeficiency.

Inclusion Criteria

Participant's caregiver understands the protocol and is willing to comply with the protocol

I have had ear problems that needed surgery for tubes in both ears.

My child, aged 6 months to 10 years, is having ear tube surgery without any ear fluid.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had hearing loss that affects how sound travels to my inner ear.

I have been diagnosed with a craniofacial abnormality, Trisomy 21, primary ciliary dyskinesia, or cystic fibrosis.

I am having additional procedures along with my ear tube surgery.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 3 drops of ofloxacin otic solution intra- and post-operatively 3 times per day for 3 days in one ear

3 days

Intra-operative and post-operative administration

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for tympanostomy tube occlusion and otorrhea at a 4-week follow-up appointment

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Ofloxacin otic solution (Anti-bacterial)

Trial Overview The study tests if using Ofloxacin otic drops during and after ear tube surgery helps prevent blockage and drainage from the tubes in kids without middle ear fluid. Each child's one ear gets treated randomly while the other serves as control. The main focus is checking for any blockages or drainage within four weeks post-surgery.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Ear Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will serve their own control. Participants will receive 3 drops of ofloxacin otic solution intra- and post-operatively 3 times per day for 3 days in ONE ear. Ear sidedness will be randomized by participant.

Group II: No Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will serve their own control. Participants will receive no intervention in the ear contralateral to the treated ear. Ear sidedness will be randomized by participant.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston Children's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

801

Recruited

5,584,000+

Dr. Kevin B. Churchwell

Boston Children's Hospital

Chief Executive Officer since 2021

MD from Vanderbilt Medical School

Dr. Sarah Pitts

Boston Children's Hospital

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD from Harvard Medical School

Findings from Research

In a multicenter study involving children under 12 with acute otorrhea and tympanostomy tubes, ofloxacin otic solution demonstrated a cure rate of 84.4%, significantly higher than the 64.2% and 70% cure rates from historical and current practice treatments, respectively.

Ofloxacin was found to be safe, with only 12.8% of treated subjects experiencing adverse events, and it effectively eradicated 96.3% of baseline pathogens in microbiologically evaluable cases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Topical ofloxacin treatment of otorrhea in children with tympanostomy tubes. Dohar, JE., Garner, ET., Nielsen, RW., et al.[2019]

In a study of 56 patients with active chronic suppurative otitis media, those treated with 0.3% ofloxacin eardrops showed a significantly higher success rate, with 76% achieving dry ears after one week compared to only 26% in the Augmentin group.

The results indicate that ofloxacin eardrops are an effective treatment option for this condition, outperforming the standard antibiotic treatment in achieving ear dryness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin eardrop treatment for active chronic suppurative otitis media: prospective randomized study. Yuen, PW., Lau, SK., Chau, PY., et al.[2013]

Ofloxacin eardrops effectively eradicated most bacterial pathogens in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media before surgery, with 86% of patients in the 10-minute treatment group and 85% in the 3-minute treatment group testing culture negative for bacteria.

Despite the successful eradication of bacteria, the study found no significant improvement in the surgical success rates of tympanoplasty, as the rates of intact tympanic membranes were similar across all treatment groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preoperative topical ofloxacin solution for tympanoplasty: a randomized, controlled study. Tong, MC., Yue, V., Ku, PK., et al.[2019]

Ofloxacin otic solution (0.3%) was found to be significantly more effective than other topical or systemic antibiotics for treating suppurative otitis media, with a higher overall cure rate and better resolution of symptoms like otorrhea and otalgia, based on a review of 11 clinical trials involving 1,484 participants.

The use of ofloxacin otic solution was associated with a lower incidence of adverse events compared to other topical antibiotics, indicating it is a safer option for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of the effectiveness of ofloxaxin otic solution for the treatment of suppurative otitis media. Abes, G., Espallardo, N., Tong, M., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 278 pediatric patients with otitis externa, once-daily ofloxacin otic solution (0.3%) was found to be as effective as the four-times-daily neomycin sulfate/polymyxin B sulfate/hydrocortisone otic suspension, with cure rates of 93.8% and 94.7%, respectively.

Ofloxacin treatment not only provided similar pain relief but also avoided the risk of ototoxicity associated with neomycin, making it a safer option for treating ear infections in children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Once-daily ofloxacin otic solution versus neomycin sulfate/polymyxin B sulfate/hydrocortisone otic suspension four times a day: a multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded trial to compare the efficacy, safety, and pain relief in pediatric patients with otitis externa. Schwartz, RH.[2018]

In a study using albino guinea pigs, both Ofloxacin and Fosfomycin sodium ear drops did not show significant ototoxicity, as measured by changes in compound action potentials (CAP) after application.

Even after seven consecutive days of administration, there were no lasting effects on hearing thresholds, indicating that these ear drops are safe for use in the middle ear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of ofloxacin (OFLX) and fosfomycin sodium (FOM) ear drops. Yamano, T., Morizono, T., Shiraishi, K., et al.[2013]

Ofloxacin otic solution 0.3% is highly effective in treating ear infections like otitis externa and chronic suppurative otitis media, with eradication rates ranging from 83.3% to 100% for common pathogens.

The treatment is well tolerated with minimal adverse effects and has not been associated with ototoxicity, making it a safe option for patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A benefit-risk assessment of ofloxacin otic solution in ear infection. Wai, TK., Tong, MC.[2022]

Ofloxacin otic solution is as effective as Cortisporin in treating otitis externa, with cure rates of 82% in adults and 97% in children for ofloxacin, compared to 84% in adults and 95% in children for Cortisporin.

Both treatments showed similar safety profiles, with no significant differences in adverse events or treatment outcomes between the two groups, indicating that ofloxacin can be a viable alternative to Cortisporin for this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin otic solution for treatment of otitis externa in children and adults. Jones, RN., Milazzo, J., Seidlin, M.[2019]

Ofloxacin otic solution 0.3% is highly effective for treating ear infections, showing clinical cure rates over 80% for otitis externa and comparable efficacy to oral antibiotics for otitis media in children with tympanostomy tubes.

This treatment is well tolerated with minimal systemic absorption, resulting in low adverse event rates, and it is not associated with ototoxicity, making it a safer option for patients with non-intact tympanic membranes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin otic solution: a review of its use in the management of ear infections. Simpson, KL., Markham, A.[2018]

Ofloxacin otic is equally effective as other treatments, such as polymyxin/neomycin plus hydrocortisone and ciprofloxacin otic, in curing otitis externa in children under 12 years old.

Ofloxacin otic is safer due to its lack of ototoxicity, making it a suitable choice for patients who may have undiagnosed tympanic membrane perforations, and its less frequent dosing may improve patient adherence and cure rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of ofloxacin and other otic preparations for otitis externa. Ruben, RJ.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Topical ofloxacin treatment of otorrhea in children with tympanostomy tubes. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin eardrop treatment for active chronic suppurative otitis media: prospective randomized study. [2013]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preoperative topical ofloxacin solution for tympanoplasty: a randomized, controlled study. [2019]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of the effectiveness of ofloxaxin otic solution for the treatment of suppurative otitis media. [2018]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Once-daily ofloxacin otic solution versus neomycin sulfate/polymyxin B sulfate/hydrocortisone otic suspension four times a day: a multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blinded trial to compare the efficacy, safety, and pain relief in pediatric patients with otitis externa. [2018]

6. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of ofloxacin (OFLX) and fosfomycin sodium (FOM) ear drops. [2013]

7. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A benefit-risk assessment of ofloxacin otic solution in ear infection. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin otic solution for treatment of otitis externa in children and adults. [2019]

9. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ofloxacin otic solution: a review of its use in the management of ear infections. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of ofloxacin and other otic preparations for otitis externa. [2019]