FDA approves Alcon's Xtoro to treat swimmer's ear

The US Food and Drug Administration today approved Xtoro (finafloxacin otic suspension), a new drug used to treat acute otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear. Xtoro is manufactured Alcon Laboratories, the eye care products subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX).

Xtoro is an eardrop approved to treat acute otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Xtoro is the newest drug belonging to the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug class to be approved by the FDA. It joins several other antibacterial drug products previously approved to treat ear infections.

“The availability of multiple treatment options allows physicians and patients to find the treatment to meet their needs,” said Edward Cox, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research