Neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone Otic

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone is a combination antibiotic and cortisone-like medicine. It is used to treat infections of the ear canal and to help provide relief from redness, irritation, and discomfort of certain ear problems.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation is available only with your doctor's prescription.

You may warm the 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. Gently pull the earlobe up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal. Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facing up for about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to coat the ear canal. (For young children and other patients who cannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keep the ear facing up for at least 1 or 2 minutes.) Your doctor may have inserted a gauze or cotton wick into your ear and may want you to keep the wick moistened with neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone. Your doctor also may have other directions for you, such as how long you should keep the wick in your ear or when you should return to your doctor to have the wick replaced. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• 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 eight hours.
    • Children—Use four or five drops in the ear every six to eight hours.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

• Cortisporin [DSC]

• Antibiotic, Otic
• Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Otic
• Corticosteroid, Otic

Hydrocortisone: Decreases inflammation by suppression of migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversal of increased capillary permeability.

Neomycin: Interferes with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunits.

Polymyxin B: Binds to phospholipids, alters permeability, and damages the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane permitting leakage of intracellular constituents.

Otic infections: Treatment of superficial bacterial infections of the external auditory canal (otitis externa); treatment of infections of mastoidectomy and fenestration cavities (suspension only)

Refer to adult dosing.

Frequency not defined.

Otic: Ear sign or symptom (stinging, burning)

Miscellaneous: Drug-induced hypersensitivity (sensitization to kanamycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and gentamicin)