This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Cortisporin Otic Consumer Information
CORTISPORIN OTIC
Generic Name: hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic (hye droe CORE tih sone, nee oh MY sin, paw lee MIX in B)
Brand Names: AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension, Cortatrigen, Cortatrigen Modified, Cortisporin Otic, Cortomycin, Drotic, Masporin Otic, Otimar, Otocort Sterile Solution, Otocort Sterile Suspension, Pediotic, UAD Otic
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
- Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic is intended for use in the ears only.
- Do not touch the dropper opening to any surface, including the ears or hands. The dropper opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause another infection in the ear.
- Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.
What is hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
- Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics. They fight bacteria in the body.
- Hydrocortisone is a steroid. It is used with neomycin and polymyxin B to reduce inflammation caused by an infection.
- Together, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B are used to treat ear infections.
- Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
- Do not use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic if the ear drum (tympanic membrane) has ruptured (broken). It may be dangerous for medicine to get into the inner ear. A ruptured ear drum usually causes a considerable amount of pain. A decrease in hearing may also occur. Call your doctor if you suspect a ruptured ear drum. Your doctor will know if the ear drum is ruptured by looking into the ear with a special device (otoscope).
- Do not use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic without first talking to your doctor if you have had a previous allergic reaction to it or to an oral, topical, or ophthalmic (eye) medication containing one of these products. You may not be able to use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
- Before using hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic, talk to your doctor if you have a history of recurrent or chronic ear infections.
- It is not known whether hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- It is not known whether hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic will be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
- Use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic is intended for use in the ears only.
- In general, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic should be used as follows:
- Clean the outer ear of any fluid or debris that can be easily removed with a clean cotton swab. Do not insert the cotton swab into the ear canal.
- Warm the drops slightly by holding them in the hands for 1 or 2 minutes. Administration of cold drops into the ear may cause dizziness. Do not warm the drops above body temperature.
- Have another person administer the drops whenever possible. Have the affected person lie on their side or tilt the ear up to make administering the drops easier.
- Gently shake the drops just before administration.
- For adults, gently hold the earlobe up and back. For children, gently hold the earlobe down and back. This will allow the drops to run into the ear canal. Carefully instill the prescribed number of drops in the first ear.
- Keep the ear tilted for approximately 5 minutes to allow the medication to penetrate the ear.
- Repeat the process in the other ear if prescribed.
- Alternatively, your doctor may recommend placing a cotton wick into the ear and saturating the cotton with the medication. Readministration of the drops to the cotton wick will be needed and the cotton should be changed every 24 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions if this administration technique is recommended.
- Use all of the medication that has been prescribed. Symptoms may begin to improve before the condition is completely treated. If you do not use all of the medication prescribed, the condition could return or worsen.
- It is important to use hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic regularly to get the most benefit.
- Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.
- Store hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep the bottle properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected or if the medication has been ingested.
- Symptoms of a hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while using this medication?
- Ear infections may sometimes cause dizziness or a loss of balance. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities if you experience dizziness or a loss of balance.
- Avoid getting water inside of the affected ear(s) during treatment with hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B. Care should be used while bathing and swimming may not be recommended. Talk to your healthcare provider.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.