What is colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
Colistin and neomycin are antibiotics that fight bacteria.
Hydrocortisone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Hydrocortisone prevents the release of
substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Thonzonium is a wetting agent.
The combination of colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium 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.
Colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium otic may also be used for other purposes
not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
You should not use colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium if you are allergic to
any of the drugs contained in this combination, or if you have a ruptured ear drum..
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin,
and thonzonium 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.
How should I take colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (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.
The usual dose of this medication is 5 drops into the affected ear every 6 to 8 hours. If you are
using this medicine on a child, use only 4 drops per affected ear.
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 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 colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (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 colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
Your pharmacist has information about colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (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, or scaling;
-
hearing loss; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
You should not use colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium if you are allergic to
any of the drugs contained in this combination, or if you have a ruptured ear drum..
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 a skin rash, redness,
swelling, itching, dryness, or scaling.
What should I avoid while taking colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using this medication.
What other drugs will affect colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?
There may be other drugs that can interact with colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and
thonzonium. 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 colistin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, and thonzonium (otic)?