Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone, Otic

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic/corticosteroid

Generic and brand names: neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone, otic; AK-Spore H.C. Otic;; Cort-Biotic; Cortisporin Otic; Cortatrigen; Cortatrigen Modified; Cortamycin; Drotic; Ear-Eze; LazerSporin-C; Masporin; Octicair; Otic-Care; Otic-Care E; Otimar; Otisan; Oticidin; Otitricin; PediOtic; UAD-Otic

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used in the ears to treat infections and relieve inflammation.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• a ruptured eardrum (hole in the eardrum)
• an allergy to any medicine
• repeated ear infections

Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection such as chickenpox or herpes simplex.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes for as long as prescribed. Do not use it for more than 10 days unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. Do not stop using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Stopping the medicine too soon may cause the symptoms to return.

Wash your hands before and after using this medicine. To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not touch the tip of the dropper to your ear or any other surface. Before using the drops, hold the bottle in your hand for a minute or two to warm the medicine. Cold ear drops may cause dizziness. Shake the bottle well before using.

Lie on your side with the affected ear up. For adults, hold the top part of the ear up and back. For children, hold the earlobe down and back. Put in the number of drops prescribed. Remain lying down for 5 minutes, or put a clean cotton plug in the ear to keep the medicine from running out.

Do not get this medicine in your eyes.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

If your symptoms do not improve in a few days or if they get worse, tell your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Swelling, redness, itchy rash, discharge, or pain in your ear; loss of hearing; loss of balance.

Other: Mild stinging or burning when the medicine is used.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.