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| Pronunciation |
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 (nee
oh MYE sin, pol i MIKS in bee,
& hye droe KOR ti sone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| AK-Spore® H.C. Otic Solution;
AK-Spore® H.C. Otic Suspension; AntibiOtic® Otic;
Cortatrigen® Otic; Cortisporin® Ophthalmic Suspension;
Cortisporin® Otic; Cortisporin® Topical Cream;
Octicair® Otic; Otic-Care® Otic; Otocort® Otic;
Otosporin® Otic; PediOtic® Otic; UAD
Otic® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic; Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Otic; Topical
Skin Product |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- Neomycin and polymixin are antibiotics used to treat a variety of
bacterial infections.
- Hydrocortisone is used to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, and
itching.
- The eye drops are used in steroid-responsive inflammatory eye
conditions in which hydrocortisone is indicated and where bacterial infection or
a risk of bacterial infection exists.
- The ear solution is used for the treatment of bacterial infections of
the external ear canal.
- The ear suspension is used for infections of mastoidectomy and
fenestration cavities.
- The skin cream is used to help prevent infections in minor cuts,
scrapes, burns, and to treat itching, swelling, or
irritation.
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| How does it work? |
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- Neomycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
- Polymixin makes some of the manufacturing cells in the bacteria leaky.
- Hydrocortisone prevents/reduces irritation and
swelling.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
- Skin:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Clean affected area before use.
- Use in a small amount over the area affected as a light film. Rub in
gently.
- Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area
unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
- Eye:
- For the eye only.
- Shake well first.
- Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be
replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
- Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
- Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
- After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the
inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the
eye.
- Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes
before using the next.
- Ear:
- For the ear only. Shake suspension well first.
- Wash hands before and after applying.
- Lie on side with affected ear up.
- For adults, hold the ear lobe up and back.
- For children, hold ear down and back.
- Instill drops in ear without touching dropper to ear. Stay on side for
2 minutes or insert cotton plug into
ear.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not apply a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Skin and Ear:
- Burning, itching, redness, dryness.
- Eye:
- Bright lights may be irritating. Keep sunglasses with you.
- Blurred vision. Use caution when driving, or doing tasks that need
clear vision.
- Stinging after putting drops in
eye.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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