AK-Spore HC

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

EYE: To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine. Sterilize contact lenses according to manufacturer's directions and check with your doctor before you begin using them again. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed and if your dose is for more than 1 drop. Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use. If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. Do not use this medication more often than prescribed or for longer than 10 days unless directed by your doctor. EAR: This medication is usually used 3 or 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Do not use this medication more often than prescribed or for longer than 10 days. The ear canal should be clean and dry before using this medication. For accuracy and to avoid contamination, have another person insert the drops if possible. Before using, hold the container in your hand for a few minutes in order to warm it. This will minimize dizziness. 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. Shake the container well before using. Lie on your side with the treated 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. For children, hold the earlobe down and back. Keep the head tilted with the treated ear upward for 5 minutes, or insert a soft cotton plug if so directed. Another way to give this medication is to place a cotton wick in the ear canal and moisten it with the prescribed number of drops as often as directed. The wick should be replaced at least once a day. Repeat the above steps for the other ear if so directed. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the cap after use. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to 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 the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection. Inform your doctor if there is no improvement in your condition after 2 days of treatment with this medication.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Throw away any unused medication after treatment is completed. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. If you are using this medication to treat an eye infection, and you use it for 10 days or longer, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye exams) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. If you are using this medication to treat an ear infection, it is important to keep the infected ear(s) clean and dry. Try not to get the infected ear(s) wet when bathing. Avoid swimming unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to neomycin, polymyxin, or hydrocortisone; or to aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin); or to corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, thimerosal), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: other ear problems (e.g., a hole in your eardrum, middle ear infection), an eye/ear infection not caused by bacteria (e.g., viral, fungal, mycobacterial). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other eye problems (e.g., glaucoma). If you are using this medication to treat the eyes, your vision may be temporarily unstable after applying this drug. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

This medication may temporarily sting or burn your eye/ear for a minute or two when applied. If this effect persists or worsens, notify 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. Use of this medication for prolonged/repeated periods may result in a new fungal eye/ear infection and may increase your risk for other eye/ear problems (e.g., glaucoma, cataracts, hearing loss). Do not use this medication for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: new or worsening eye/ear symptoms (e.g., discharge, swelling, redness), vision/hearing problems, eye pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the 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. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat bacterial ear infections.