Acetic Acid Aluminum Acetate Otic

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have severe burning or other irritation after using the ear drops.

Common side effects may include mild stinging or burning with the first use.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

For best results, remove any ear wax or other debris before using this medicine. Ask your doctor about safe methods of ear wax removal.

To use the ear drops:

• Lie down or tilt your head with your ear facing upward. Open the ear canal by gently pulling your ear back, or pulling downward on the earlobe when giving this medicine to a child.
• Hold the dropper upside down over your ear and drop the correct number of drops into the ear. Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
• Stay lying down or with your head tilted for at least 5 minutes.
• Do not touch the dropper tip or place it directly in your ear. It may become contaminated. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue but do not wash with water or soap.

A ruptured ear drum usually causes moderate to severe ear pain, with or without a decrease in hearing. Call your doctor if you think you have a ruptured ear drum. Your doctor will use a special scope to see any tear in your ear drum.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

An overdose of this medicine is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

This medication is used to treat an outer ear infection (external otitis). This product contains acetic acid/aluminum acetate, a combination that stops the growth of bacteria and fungus. Treating the infection reduces pain and swelling in the ear. Wetness in the ear canal can help bacteria and fungus to grow. This medication also causes drying of the ear canal, helping to cure the infection.

How to use Acetic Acid-Aluminum Drops

Use this medication in the affected ear(s) as directed by your doctor, usually every 2 to 3 hours. Use in the ear only. Do not use in the eyes, swallow, inject, or inhale the medication.

To make sure that the right amount of medication is given, and to avoid touching the ear with the dropper, have another person insert the drops if possible. To lower the risk of dizziness, hold the container in your hand for a few minutes in order to warm it.

To apply ear drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your ear or any other surface. Lie on your side or tilt the affected ear upward. Hold the dropper directly over the ear, and place the prescribed number of drops into the ear canal. To help the drops roll into the ear of an adult, hold the earlobe up and back. In children, hold the earlobe down and back. Keep the head tilted for 5 minutes, or insert a soft cotton plug if so directed. Repeat for the other ear if so directed. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the cap after use.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Continue to use this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping this medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your ear symptoms persist, worsen, or return after stopping this medication.

Avoid contact with the eyes. If you get some of the medication in the eye, rinse the eye with a steady, gentle stream of tap water for at least 15 minutes. Tell your doctor if the eye becomes persistently irritated or your vision is decreased.

Temporary stinging/burning in the ear canal may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: new pain, redness, swelling in or around the ears.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the ear/face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.