Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine should come with patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine should be used only in the ear. Do not put it in the eyes or nose, and do not take it by mouth or inject it. If this medicine is swallowed by accident or gets in your eyes, call your doctor right away. .

It is important that the infected ear remain clean and dry. When bathing, avoid getting the infected ear wet. Avoid swimming unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.

To use the ear drops:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
  • Hold the bottle in your hands for 1 or 2 minutes to warm the medicine. Cold drops could cause you to become dizzy.
  • Shake the bottle well before using it.
  • Lie down on your side with your infected ear facing up.
  • Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for 60 seconds.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.
  • For patients with middle ear infection with tubes: While the person getting the ear drops lies on their side, the person giving the drops should gently press the small projection in front of the outside opening of the ear 5 times in a pumping motion. This will allow the drops to pass through the tube and into the middle ear.
  • For patients with outer ear infection (“swimmer's ear”): While the person getting the ear drops lies on their side, the person giving the drops should gently pull the outer ear lobe upward and backward. This will allow the ear drops to flow down into the ear canal.
  • The person who just had the ear drops should stay on their side for at least one minute. Repeat the above steps if both ears are infected.
  • When you have completed your course of therapy (usually 7 days), throw away any unused medicine.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you or your child feel better after the first few doses. The infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon. 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 dosage form (ear drops):
    • For middle ear infection:
      • Adults and children 6 months of age and older—4 drops into the affected ear(s) two times a day for 7 days.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For outer ear infection:
      • Adults, older adults, and children 6 months of age and older—4 drops into the affected ear(s) two times a day for 7 days.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take 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. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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

Protect medicine away from light. Do not freeze.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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