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Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Formulary
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB
Formulary Chapter: 12 - Ear, nose and oropharynx 
Notes:

Any drug not listed on the Formulary should be considered Non-Formulary - Not recommended for prescribing
12.01.01 Otitis externa
12.01.01 Astringent preparations
12.01.01 Anti-inflammatory preparations

Betamethasone 0.1%

GREEN
Formulary

eye/ear/nose drops

BNF BNFc SPC

Betamethasone with Neomycin (Betnesol N®)

GREEN
Formulary

0.1% Betamethasone/ 0.5% Neomycin Sulphate eye/ear/nose drops

BNF BNFc SPC

Ciprofloxacin 0.3%/dexamethasone 0.1% ear drops (Cilodex)

GREEN
Formulary

 

Entry reviewed: March 2025

BNF BNFc SPC

Dexamethasone 0.1% / Neomycin 0.5% / Acetic acid (glacial) 2% ear spray (5ml)

GREEN
Formulary

Formerly Otomize- brand now discontinued.

 

Entry review: July 2025

BNF BNFc SPC

Dexamethasone with Antibacterial (Sofradex®)

GREEN
Formulary
0.05% Dexamethasone/Framycetin Sulphate 0.5% & Gramicidin 0.005% Ear drops
BNF BNFc SPC

Flumetasone 0.02% with Clioquinol 1%
(Ear drops)

GREEN
Formulary
BNF BNFc SPC

Fluocinolone 0.25mg/ml + Ciprofloxacin 3mg/mL (Cetraxal Plus®)
(Ear Drops)

GREEN
Formulary

Indicated in adults and in children aged 6 months and older for the following infections caused by ciprofloxacin susceptible microorganisms: 

  • Acute otitis externa (AOE)
  • Acute otitis media in patients with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT)

Presented in single-dose 0.25mL containers.

Entry reviewed March 2025

BNF BNFc SPC

Hydrocortisone Acetate 1% with Gentamicin 0.3% (Gentisone® HC)

GREEN
Formulary
BNF BNFc SPC

Hydrocortisone with Antibacterials (Otosporin®)
(ear drops)

GREEN
Formulary

Hydrocortisone 10 mg per 1 ml, Neomycin sulfate 3400 unit per 1 ml, Polymyxin B sulfate 10000 unit per 1 ml

BNF BNFc SPC

Prednisolone 0.5% (Predsol®)

GREEN
Formulary

 Ear/eye drops

BNF BNFc SPC
Non formulary items

Hydrocortisone with Antibacterial (Neo-Cortef®)

 
Non Formulary
BNF BNFc SPC

Prednisolone 0.5% with Neomycin 0.5% (Predsol-N®)

 
Non Formulary
Discontinued
BNF BNFc SPC
12.01.01 Anti-infective preparations
12.01.01 Other aural preparations
Classifications
GREEN
May be initiated in any care setting
Amber SPA
Specialist to advise therapy and provide first 28 days supply, continuation in Primary Care
Amber SPIS
Specialist to initiate and stabilise medicine prior to continuation in Primary Care
SCG
To be prescribed as per Shared Care Guidance. If no SCG in place status reverts to red.
RED
Red medicines are designated as specialist only medicines which should only be prescribed by a specialist, usually within secondary care (either due to the requirement for specialist knowledge, long-term monitoring requirements, or restrictions that mean medicine supplies are only available to hospitals).
DNP
A decision has been made either locally and/or nationally not to routinely commission this preparation. Do not prescribe.
SELF
To be purchased over the counter. May be prescribed for chronic, long term conditions or on admission to hospital if essential.