medicine safe as ear drops ?

Can Fluocinolone Acetonide Topical Solution 0.01% (Fougera) be used as an ear drop to go in the ears ?    The box says for Dermatologic Use Only (Topical).  

Would it cause damage to the ear drum if used as ear drops ?  Is Fluocinolone Acetonide Topical Solution 0.01% (Fougera) used as a generic for DermOtic Oil (HIll Dermaceuticals, Inc.)  They both have the Fluocinolone Acetonide Topical Solution 0.01% but DermOtic Oil seems quite different in they are in fact made as ear drops.  I don't know if the Fluocinolone Acetonide Topical Solution 0.01% (Fougera) is safe to actually put in your ear.  

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

Hi Dennis, I am not familiar with that particular formulation of Fluocinolone.  I am sure it is not FDA labeled for ear use.  The problem is that you don't know what other ingredients are in it and whether they are safe for the ear canal.  That being said, many topical steroids are used in the ear canal without a problem.  If you are concerned, I would use a formulation like Dermotic that is labeled for ear use.  Discuss this with your pharmacist also.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

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