What is hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Hydrocortisone is a steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause
inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics that fight bacteria.
The combination of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic (for the ears) is used to
treat ear infections caused by bacteria.
This medication will not treat a viral infection such as herpes or shingles.
Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic may also be used for other purposes not listed
in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, neomycin, or
polymyxin B, or if you have:
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use this medication. Before using hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic, tell
your doctor if you have:
-
herpes (simplex or zoster);
-
chickenpox or small pox;
-
any ear infection that causes blistering;
-
asthma or sulfite allergy; or
-
if you are allergic to an antibiotic similar to neomycin, such
as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), netilmicin (Netromycin),
paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrocortisone,
neomycin, and polymyxin B otic ear drops are harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrocortisone and colistin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do
not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication in a child younger than 2 years old.
How should I take hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Before using this medication, clean and dry your ear canal with sterile cotton.
Shake the ear drops well just before you measure a dose.
This medication is usually given as 4 to 5 drops into the affected ear every 6 to 8 hours.
Children may need to use fewer drops. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much medication
you should use and how often.
Do not use this medication for longer than 10 days in a row unless your doctor tells you to.
Long-term use of neomycin may cause damage to your hearing.
To use the ear drops, first remove the cap from the dropper bottle. Lie down or tilt your head
with your ear facing upward. Pull back on your ear gently to open up the ear canal. If giving this
medicine to a child, pull down on the earlobe to open the ear canal. Hold the dropper upside down
over the ear canal and drop the correct number of drops into the ear.
Do not place the dropper tip into your ear or allow the tip to touch any surface. It may become
contaminated.
After using the ear drops, stay lying down or with your head tilted for at least 5 minutes.
As an alternative to dropping the medicine into your ear, you may insert a small piece of cotton
into the ear canal and then drop the medicine directly onto the cotton to soak it. Leave the cotton in the
ear and keep it moist by adding more of the medication every 4 to 8 hours. Replace the cotton at least
every 24 hours. Follow your doctor's instructions about the use of cotton with this medication.
Wipe the ear dropper tip with a clean tissue. Do not wash the tip with water or soap.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before
the infection is completely cleared. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 1
week of using this medication.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until
then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
use extra medicine to
make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect
such as:
-
skin rash, redness, swelling, itching, dryness, scaling, or other
irritation in or around the ear;
-
severe burning, stinging, or other irritation when using the
medication;
-
new signs of infection;
-
hearing loss; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, neomycin, or
polymyxin B, or if you have a ruptured ear drum, or an ear infection caused by chickenpox, or herpes
infection (simplex or zoster).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have herpes (simplex or zoster), chickenpox
or small pox, any ear infection that causes blistering, asthma or sulfite allergy, or if you are allergic to an
antibiotic similar to neomycin, such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin
(Kantrex), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin
(Nebcin, Tobi).
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before
the infection is completely cleared. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 1
week of using this medication.
Do not use this medication for longer than 10 days in a row unless your doctor tells you to.
Long-term use of neomycin may cause damage to your hearing.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have skin rash, redness,
swelling, itching, dryness, scaling, severe burning or stinging, or other irritation in or around the ear.
Other serious side effects include new signs of infection, hearing loss, or urinating less than usual or not
at all.
What should I avoid while taking hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.
What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on hydrocortisone,
neomycin, and polymyxin B used in the ears. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your
doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic?
