Cortomycin

Generic Name: neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone (Otic route)

nee-oh-MYE-sin SUL-fate, pol-ee-MIX-in B SUL-fate, hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Antibiotic Otic


• Cort-Biotic


• Cortisporin


• Cortomycin


• Oti-Sone


• Pediotic

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution


• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Anti-Infective/Anti-Inflammatory Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

Chemical Class: Neomycin

Uses For Cortomycin

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone is a combination antibiotic and cortisone-like medicine. It is used to treat infections of the ear canal and to help provide relief from redness, irritation, and discomfort of certain ear problems.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Cortomycin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of otic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation in children with use in other age groups, this preparation is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of otic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone preparation in the elderly with use in other age groups, this preparation is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Any other ear infection or condition (including punctured eardrum)—Use of neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone otic preparations may make the condition worse

Proper Use of neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone. It may not be specific to Cortomycin. Please read with care.

You may warm the ear drops to body temperature (37 °C or 98.6 °F), but no higher, by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes before using the medicine. If the medicine gets too warm, it may break down and not work at all.

To use:

• Lie down or tilt the head so that the infected ear faces up. Gently pull the earlobe up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal. Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facing up for about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to coat the ear canal. (For young children and other patients who cannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keep the ear facing up for at least 1 or 2 minutes.) Your doctor may have inserted a gauze or cotton wick into your ear and may want you to keep the wick moistened with this medicine. Your doctor also may have other directions for you, such as how long you should keep the wick in your ear or when you should return to your doctor to have the wick replaced. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.


• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For otic (ear drops) dosage forms:
  
  • For ear canal infection:
    
    • Adults—Use four drops in the ear three or four times a day.
    
    
    • Children—Use three drops in the ear three or four times a day.
    
    
  
  
  • For mastoid cavity infection:
    
    • Adults—Use four to ten drops in the ear every six to eight hours.
    
    
    • Children—Use four or five drops in the ear every six to eight hours.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using Cortomycin

If your symptoms do not improve within 1 week, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Do not use this medicine for more than 10 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Cortomycin Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Itching, skin rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation in or around the ear not present before use of this medicine

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Cortomycin side effects (in more detail)

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More Cortomycin resources

• Cortomycin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Cortomycin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Cortomycin Drug Interactions
• Cortomycin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Cortomycin - Add your own review/rating

• Cortomycin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cortomycin Solution MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cortomycin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Pediotic Prescribing Information (FDA)

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