$Unique_ID{BRK01984}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{HYDROCORTISONE, POLYMYXIN B, AND NEOMYCIN COMBINATION (OTIC)}
$Subject{AK-Spore H.C. Otic (Akorn)
Cortatrigen Modified Ear Drops (Goldline)
Cortisporin Otic (Burroughs Wellcome)
Drotic (Ascher)
Ortega-Otic M (Ortega)
Otocort (Lemmon)
Otomycin-Hpn Otic (Misemer)
Otoreid-HC (Reid-Rowell)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


HYDROCORTISONE, POLYMYXIN B, AND NEOMYCIN COMBINATION (OTIC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     AK-Spore H.C. Otic (Akorn)
     Cortatrigen Modified Ear Drops (Goldline)
     Cortisporin Otic (Burroughs Wellcome)
     Drotic (Ascher)
     Ortega-Otic M (Ortega)
     Otocort (Lemmon)
     Otomycin-Hpn Otic (Misemer)
     Otoreid-HC (Reid-Rowell)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Otic adrenocorticosteroid and antibiotic
INGREDIENTS:
     hydrocortisone, polymyxin B, and neomycin
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Otic solution (1% hydrocortisone, 10,000 units polymyxin B, and 5 mg
       neomycin per ml)
     Otic suspension (1% hydrocortisone, 10,000 units polymyxin B, and 5 mg
       neomycin per ml)
STORAGE:
     The medication should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in
       tightly closed, light-resistant containers.

USES

     This medication is used to treat superficial bacterial infections of the
outer ear.  Your adrenal glands naturally produce certain cortisone-like
chemicals.  These chemicals are involved in various regulatory processes in
the body (such as those involving fluid balance, temperature, and reaction to
inflammation).  Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of drugs known as
adrenocorticosteroids (or cortisone-like medications).  It is used to relieve
inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, pain).  Polymyxin B and neomycin are
antibiotics, which act to prevent the growth and multiplication of the
infecting bacteria.

TREATMENT

     For accuracy, and in order to avoid contamination, another person should
insert the ear drops if possible.
     To warm the drops before administration, roll the bottle back and forth
between your hands.  DO NOT place the bottle in boiling water; high
temperatures destroy the medication.
     Before administration, the suspension form of this medication should be
shaken well.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it
is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly and
equalize the doses.
     To administer the ear drops, tilt the head to one side with the affected
ear turned upward.  Grasp the earlobe and gently pull it upward and back to
straighten the ear canal. (If administering ear drops to a child, gently pull
the earlobe downward and back.) Fill the dropper and place the prescribed
number of drops into the ear.  Be careful not to touch the dropper to the ear
canal, since the dropper can easily become contaminated.  Keep the ear tilted
upward for about five minutes.  Your doctor may want you to put a piece of
cotton soaked with the medication into your ear to keep the medicine from
leaking out.  To avoid contamination, DO NOT wash or wipe the dropper after
you use it.
     If you miss a dose, insert the drops as soon as possible, unless it is
almost time for the next dose.  In that case, don't use the missed dose at
all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear before
the end of that period.  If you stop using the drug too soon, resistant
bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could
recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Burning sensation upon application.  The burning should disappear as your
body adjusts to the medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
itching, rash, redness, or swelling at the site of application.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication should not interact with any other medications as long as
it is used according to directions.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
medications, especially to hydrocortisone or any other adrenocorticosteroids
(such as amcinonide, betamethasone, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide,
desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone,
fluocinonide, fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide,
methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone), to polymyxin
B, or to neomycin or any related antibiotic (such as amikacin, colistimethate,
colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, netilmicin, paromycin, streptomycin,
tobramycin, or viomycin).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had viral or
fungal infections of the ear, a punctured eardrum, myasthenia gravis, or
kidney disease.
     * Do not use this medication for longer than ten consecutive days, unless
your doctor directs you to do so.  If there is no change in your condition
within two or three days after starting to take this medication, contact your
doctor.  The medication may not be effective for the type of infection you
have.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  If large amounts of
hydrocortisone are applied for prolonged periods, some of it will be absorbed
and may cross the placenta.  Studies in humans have not been conducted, but
birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that were given
large oral doses of hydrocortisone during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor
if you are breast-feeding an infant.  If absorbed through the skin, small
amounts of the drug pass into breast milk and may cause growth suppression or
a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid hormone production in the infant.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
