acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic

Generic Name: acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic (ah SEE tic AH sid and ah LOO mih num AH seh tate OH tic)Brand names: Domeboro Otic, Star-Otic, Borofair

What is acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic?

Acetic acid has antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Aluminum acetate helps to reduce itching, stinging, and inflammation that may be associated with an infection.

Together, acetic acid and aluminum acetate are used to treat ear infections.

Acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic?Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic is intended for use in the ears only. Do not touch the dropper opening to any surface, including the ears or hands. The dropper opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause another infection in the ear.

Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic?Do not use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic if the ear drum (tympanic membrane) has ruptured (broken). It may be dangerous for medicine to get into the inner ear. A ruptured ear drum usually causes a considerable amount of pain. A decrease in hearing may also occur. See your doctor if you suspect a ruptured ear drum. Your doctor will know if the ear drum is ruptured by looking into the ear with a special device (otoscope). Do not use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic without first talking to your doctor if you have had a previous allergic reaction to it or to another similar topical medication such as Burrow's solution or Domeboro topical. It is not known whether acetic acid and aluminum acetate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic passes into breast milk. Do not use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic?

Use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic is intended for use in the ears only.

In general, acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic should be used as follows:

• If the drops have been stored in the refrigerator, warm the drops slightly by holding them in the hands for 1 or 2 minutes. Administration of cold drops into the ear may cause dizziness.

• Have another person administer the drops whenever possible. Have the affected person lie on their side or tilt the ear up to make administering a drop easier.

• For adults, hold the earlobe up and back. For children, hold the earlobe down and back. This will allow the drops to run into the ear canal. Carefully instill the prescribed number of drops in the first ear.

• Keep the ear tilted for five minutes to allow the medication to penetrate the ear.

• Repeat the process in the other ear if prescribed.

Use all of the medication that has been prescribed. Symptoms may begin to improve before the condition is completely treated. If you do not use all of the medication prescribed, the condition could return or worsen.

It is important to use acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic regularly to get the most benefit.

Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.

Store acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic at room temperature or in the refrigerator, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep the bottle properly capped. Do not allow the medication to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected or if the medication has been ingested.

Symptoms of a acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using this medication?

Ear infections may sometimes cause dizziness or a loss of balance. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities if you experience dizziness or a loss of balance.

Acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic side effects

Stop using acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor if you experience:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

• ear drainage, discharge, or worsening pain.

Other less serious side effects may also occur such as irritation in the ear. Contact your doctor if these side effects seem excessive or unusual.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect my acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic?

Do not use other ear drops during treatment with acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about acetic acid and aluminum acetate otic written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:42:24 PM.