# Ofloxacin (eye & ear drops) in Nigeria

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/ofloxacin/
- Drug class: Antibiotic (fluoroquinolone, topical) (Eye & Ear Drops)
- Also known as: Exocin, Oflox, Inoflox
- Prescription required: no
- Last updated: September 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of September 2026, Ofloxacin (eye & ear drops) drops sells for about ₦560 per ml online in Nigeria (packs ₦2,800–₦3,750) across HealthPlus and MedPlus and Supermart.ng — drops ₦2,800–₦3,750, tablet/capsule ₦2,170. The online price is roughly unchanged since July 2026. That figure is for Floboid; 50 other ofloxacin (eye & ear drops) brands are NAFDAC-registered and generic versions usually cost less. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## What is Ofloxacin (eye & ear drops)?

Ofloxacin drops are a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the eye and ear. Ofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone family — the same group as ciprofloxacin — and as drops it is applied directly to the affected eye or ear. In Nigeria it is sold as brands such as Exocin, and it is a common step up when a simpler eye drop like chloramphenicol has not cleared an infection, or for ear infections where drops are needed.

In the eye, ofloxacin treats bacterial conjunctivitis and other surface infections by killing the bacteria responsible. In the ear, it treats infections of the outer ear canal (otitis externa — the painful, itchy, discharging 'swimmer's ear') and is one of the antibiotics considered safe to use even when the eardrum is perforated, unlike some older ear drops. This dual eye-and-ear use makes it a versatile drop to have access to, though it should still be matched to the right problem.

Ofloxacin drops are generally well tolerated and, because they act on the surface, very little is absorbed into the body. As with any antibiotic, they should be used for a genuine bacterial infection and for the full course, not stopped the moment things improve, to avoid encouraging resistance. A painful red eye with blurred vision, or ear pain with fever and hearing loss, needs proper assessment rather than drops alone. Genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number.

## What is Ofloxacin (eye & ear drops) used for?

- Bacterial conjunctivitis and other surface bacterial eye infections
- Bacterial infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externa)
- Discharging ear infections, including some with a perforated eardrum
- Eye infections that have not responded to a simpler drop like chloramphenicol
- Broad-spectrum eye or ear cover when a stronger antibiotic drop is needed

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: Eye (0.3% drops): typically 1-2 drops into the affected eye every 2-4 hours for the first 2 days, then 4 times a day, usually for up to a week — follow the specific product's instructions. Ear (0.3% drops): usually a few drops into the affected ear twice a day for 7-10 days. Warm the bottle in your hand first, lie with the ear up, instil the drops, and stay still for a few minutes. Do not let the dropper tip touch the eye, ear, or fingers.
- Children: Ofloxacin drops can be used in children for eye and ear infections, but the dose and suitability should be confirmed with a pharmacist or doctor, particularly for young children and infants. Do not share a bottle between children.
- Elderly: Standard dosing applies. An older adult with significant ear pain, fever, hearing loss, or a red painful eye should be assessed rather than treated with drops alone.

Use the bottle for one person and one course only, and discard it about 4 weeks after opening. Complete the recommended course even if symptoms settle early. For ear use, keep the ear dry otherwise. Stop and seek care if there is severe pain, spreading redness, fever, hearing loss, or no improvement after a couple of days — drops alone are not enough for a deeper or spreading infection.

## Side effects

Common: Brief stinging, burning, or itching when the drops go in; Temporary blurred vision (eye) just after applying; A bad or bitter taste after ear drops (as some drains to the throat); Mild local irritation or redness.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Signs of an allergic reaction: swelling, spreading rash, or difficulty breathing — stop and seek help; Worsening pain, redness, or discharge despite treatment; Any loss or blurring of vision, or new hearing loss, that does not clear.

When to see a doctor: See a health worker if an eye is painful with blurred vision or light sensitivity, if ear pain is severe or comes with fever, facial swelling, or hearing loss, or if there is no improvement after 2-3 days of drops. These can indicate a deeper or spreading infection that drops alone will not treat. Recurrent ear or eye infections also deserve a proper check to find the underlying cause.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Do not use if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin); Do not use eye drops in the ear, or ear drops in the eye — check the label matches the site; Do not use drops opened longer than about 4 weeks, or shared with others; For ear use with a suspected perforated eardrum, confirm the product is suitable — ofloxacin usually is, but check.

Interactions: As eye or ear drops, very little ofloxacin is absorbed, so significant interactions with tablets are unlikely; Do not combine two different antibiotic drops for the same eye or ear without advice; Remove contact lenses during eye treatment and do not reinsert until the infection has cleared.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Fluoroquinolones taken as tablets are usually avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, but as eye or ear drops very little reaches the bloodstream, so short-term use may be acceptable when needed — still check with a pharmacist or doctor first, and prefer the most established option for your situation. For a mild eye or ear problem in pregnancy, seek advice before self-treating.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Exocin (AbbVie (Allergan), made in Ireland); Floboid (Micro Nova Pharmaceuticals Ind Ltd, made in India).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/ofloxacin/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the bottle — genuine eye and ear preparations in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
2. Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app
3. Buy from licensed pharmacies rather than roadside sellers, as eye and ear drops are commonly counterfeited
4. Check the expiry date and that the seal is intact; note the opening date and discard after about 4 weeks
5. Genuine drops should be clear with no floating particles or discolouration; do not use a cloudy or dirty-looking solution
6. Make sure the label clearly states whether the product is for the eye, the ear, or both, and matches your intended use

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Can I use the same ofloxacin drops for both my eye and my ear?

Only if the product is specifically labelled for that use. Some ofloxacin products are made as eye drops, some as ear drops, and some are approved for both — always read the label and use it for the site it is meant for. Eye drops are prepared to be gentle enough for the eye and can generally be used in the ear, but ear-only products are not necessarily safe for the eye. If you are unsure, ask the pharmacist to give you a product suited to your specific problem rather than guessing.

### Are ofloxacin ear drops safe if my eardrum is perforated?

Ofloxacin is one of the ear-drop antibiotics generally considered safe to use even with a perforated (burst) eardrum, unlike some older ear drops that can be harmful to the inner ear in that situation. That said, a perforated eardrum with discharge should ideally be assessed by a health worker, who can confirm the diagnosis and the right treatment. If you have ear discharge, hearing loss, or a history of a burst eardrum, get it checked rather than self-treating, and mention the perforation so the correct drops are chosen.

### When should an ear infection be seen by a doctor rather than treated with drops?

See a health worker if ear pain is severe, comes with a high fever, or is accompanied by swelling and redness behind or around the ear, facial weakness, dizziness, or hearing loss — these can signal a deeper or spreading infection that ear drops alone cannot treat. Also seek care if there is no improvement after 2-3 days, if infections keep recurring, or in a young child with significant ear pain. Ofloxacin drops are useful for outer-ear infections, but they are not a substitute for a proper examination when the problem is severe or persistent.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)