NEOMYCIN,POLYMYXIN B, AND HYDROCORTISONE (Otic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• AK-Spore HC Otic
• Antibiotic Ear
• Cortatrigen Ear
• Cortatrigen Modified Ear Drops
• Cort-Biotic
• Cortisporin
• Cortomycin
• Drotic
• Ear-Eze
• LazerSporin-C
• Masporin Otic
• Octicair
• Octigen
• Otic-Care
• Otic-Care Ear
• Otimar
• Otisan
• Otocidin
• Otocort
• Pediotic
• UAD Otic

In Canada?

• Cortisporin

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antibacterial-corticosteroid, otic

Description

Neomycin,polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone (nee-oh-MYE-sin,pol-i-MIX-in bee, and hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone) is a combinationantibiotic and cortisone-like medicine. It is used to treat infections ofthe ear canal and to help provide relief from redness, irritation, and discomfortof certain ear problems.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation is available onlywith your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Otic
• Solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Suspension (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For neomycin, polymyxinB, and hydrocortisone otic preparations, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to this medicine or to any related antibiotic, such as amikacin(e.g., Amikin), colistimethate (e.g., Coly-Mycin M), colistin (e.g., Coly-MycinS), gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin (e.g., Kantrex), neomycin by mouthor by injection (e.g., Mycifradin), netilmicin (e.g., Netromycin), paromomycin(e.g., Humatin), polymyxin B by injection (e.g., Aerosporin), streptomycin,or tobramycin (e.g., Nebcin). Also tell your health care professional if youare allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone otic preparationshave not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals haveshown that topical corticosteroids (such as hydrocortisone) cause birth defects.Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding?Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone oticpreparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of otic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation in childrenwith use in other age groups, this preparation is not expected to cause differentside effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of otic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparationin the elderly with use in other age groups, this preparation is not expectedto cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does inyounger adults.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other otic (for the ear) prescription ornonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC] medicine).

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone oticpreparations. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medicalproblems, especially:

• Any other ear infection or condition (including punctured eardrum)?Useof neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone otic preparations may make thecondition worse

Proper Use of This Medicine

You may warmthe ear drops to body temperature (37 ?C or 98.6 ?F), but no higher,by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes before using the medicine.If the medicine gets too warm, it may break down and not work at all.

To use:

• Lie down or tilt the head so that the infected ear faces up. Gentlypull the earlobe up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straightenthe ear canal. Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facing upfor about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to coat the ear canal. (For youngchildren and other patients who cannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keepthe ear facing up for at least 1 or 2 minutes.) Your doctor may have inserteda gauze or cotton wick into your ear and may want you to keep the wick moistenedwith this medicine. Your doctor also may have other directions for you, suchas how long you should keep the wick in your ear or when you should returnto your doctor to have the wick replaced. If you have any questions aboutthis, check with your doctor.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropperto any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep usingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptomshave disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing?The dose of neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisoneotic preparation will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The followinginformation includes only the average doses of neomycin, polymyxin B, andhydrocortisone otic preparation. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For otic (ear drops) dosage forms:
  • For ear canal infection:
    • Adults?Use four drops in the ear three or four times a day.
    • Children?Use three drops in the ear three or four times a day.
  • For mastoid cavity infection:
    • Adults?Use four to ten drops in the ear every six to eighthours.
    • Children?Use four or five drops in the ear every six to eighthours.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If yoursymptoms do not improve within 1 week, or if they become worse, check withyour doctor.

Do not use this medicine for more than 10 daysunless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any ofthe following side effects occur:

More common

Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.