What is AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
Hydrocortisone is a steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics that fight bacteria.
The combination of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B 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.
Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if you have a ruptured ear drum, or an ear infection caused by chickenpox, or herpes infection (simplex or zoster).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have herpes (simplex or zoster), chickenpox or small pox, any ear infection that causes blistering, asthma or sulfite allergy, or if you are allergic to an antibiotic similar to neomycin, such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
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 skin rash, redness, swelling, itching, dryness, scaling, severe burning or stinging, or other irritation in or around the ear. Other serious side effects include new signs of infection, hearing loss, or urinating less than usual or not at all.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if you have:
- a ruptured ear drum; or
- an ear infection caused by chickenpox, or herpes infection (simplex or zoster)
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
- herpes (simplex or zoster)
- chickenpox or small pox
- any ear infection that causes blistering
- asthma or sulfite allergy; or
- if you are allergic to an antibiotic similar to neomycin, such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi)
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B otic 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.
Do not use this medication in a child younger than 2 years old.
AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B 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, scaling, or other irritation in or around the ear
- severe burning, stinging, or other irritation when using the medication
- new signs of infection
- hearing loss; or
- urinating less than usual or not at all
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension Interactions
What other drugs affect AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B used in the ears. But many drugs can interact with each other. 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 should I avoid while taking AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.
AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension Dosage
How should I take AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B 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.
This medication is usually given as 4 to 5 drops into the affected ear every 6 to 8 hours. Children may need to use fewer drops. Follow your doctor’s instructions about how much medication you should use and how often.
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 to 8 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 overdose on AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include hearing problems, or urinating less than usual.
What happens if I miss a dose of AK-Spore HC Otic Suspension (Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B 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.
Edited from everydayhealth.com