Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Hydrocortisone Otic Suspension USP is a sterile antibacterial and anti-inflammatory suspension for otic use.

Neomycin Sulfate is the sulfate salt of neomycin B and C, which are produced by the growth of Streptomyces fradiae Waksman (Fam. Streptomycetaceae). It has a potency equivalent of not less than 600 micrograms of neomycin standard per milligram, calculated on an anhydrous basis. The structural formulae are:

Polymyxin B Sulfate is the sulfate salt of polymyxin B1 and B2, which are produced by the growth of Bacillus polymyxa (Prazmowski) Migula (Fam. Bacillaceae). It has a potency of not less than 6,000 polymyxin B units per milligram, calculated on an anhydrous basis. The structural formulae are:

Hydrocortisone 11β,17, 21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, is an anti-inflammatory hormone. Its structural formula is:

C21H30O5 Mol. Wt. 362.47

Each mL Contains:

ACTIVES: Hydrocortisone, 10 mg (1%), Neomycin Sulfate equivalent to 3.5 mg neomycin base, Polymyxin B Sulfate, equal to 10,000 polymyxin B units; INACTIVES: Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol (0.9%), Polysorbate 80, Purified Water. Sulfuric Acid may be added to adjust pH (3.0 - 7.0). PRESERVATIVE ADDED: Thimerosal 0.01%.

Corticoids suppress the inflammatory response to a variety of agents and they may delay healing. Since corticoids may inhibit the body's defense mechanism against infection, a concomitant antimicrobial drug may be used when this inhibition is considered to be clinically significant in a particular case.

The anti-infective components in the combination are included to provide action against specific organisms susceptible to them. Neomycin sulfate and polymyxin B sulfate together are considered active against the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella-Enterobacter species, Neisseria species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This product does not provide adequate coverage against Serratia marcescens and streptococci, including Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The relative potency of corticosteroids depends on the molecular structure, concentration, and release from the vehicle.

For the treatment of superficial bacterial infections of the external auditory canal caused by organisms susceptible to the action of the antibiotics, and for the treatment of infections of mastoidectomy and fenestration cavities caused by organisms susceptible to the antibiotics.

This product is contraindicated in those individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its components, and in herpes simplex, vaccinia, and varicella infections.

Neomycin can induce permanent sensorineural hearing loss due to cochlear damage, mainly destruction of hair cells in the organ of Corti. The risk is greater with prolonged use. Therapy should be limited to 10 consecutive days (see PRECAUTIONS- General). Patients being treated with eardrops containing neomycin should be under close clinical observation. Neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and hydrocortisone otic suspension should not be used in any patient with a perforated tympanic membrane.

Discontinue promptly if sensitization or irritation occurs.

Neomycin sulfate may cause cutaneous sensitization. A precise incidence of hypersensitivity reactions (primarily skin rash) due to topical neomycin is not known.

When using neomycin-containing products to control secondary infection in the chronic dermatoses, such as chronic otitis externa or stasis dermatitis, it should be borne in mind that the skin in these conditions is more liable than is normal skin to become sensitized to many substances, including neomycin. The manifestation of sensitization to neomycin is usually a lowgrade reddening with swelling, dry scaling, and itching; it may be manifest simply as a failure to heal. Periodic examination for such signs is advisable, and the patient should be told to discontinue the product if they are observed. These symptoms regress quickly on withdrawing the medication. Neomycin-containing applications should be avoided for the patient thereafter.

Neomycin occasionally causes skin sensitization. Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity have also been reported (see WARNINGS). Adverse reactions have occurred with topical use of antibiotic combinations including neomycin and polymyxin B. Exact incidence figures are not available since no denominator of treated patients is available. The reaction occurring most often is allergic sensitization. In one clinical study, using a 20% neomycin patch, neomycin-induced allergic skin reactions occurred in two of 2,175 (0.09%) individuals in the general population.2 In another study, the incidence was found to be approximately 1%.3

The following local adverse reactions have been reported with topical corticosteroids, especially under occlusive dressings: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae and miliaria. Stinging and burning have been reported rarely when this drug has gained access to the middle ear.

2

Leyden JJ and Kligman AM. Contact dermatitis to neomycin sulfate. JAMA. 1979; 242: 1276-1278.

3

Prystowsky SD, Allen AM, Smith RW, Nonomura JH, Odom RB, Akers WA. Allergic contact hypersensitivity to nickel, neomycin, ethylenediamine, and benzocaine: relationship between age, sex, history of exposure, and reactivity to standard patch and use tests in general population. Arch Dermatol. 1979; 115: 959-962.

Therapy with this product should be limited to 10 consecutive days.

The external auditory canal should be thoroughly cleansed and dried with a sterile cotton applicator.

For adults, 4 drops of the suspension should be instilled into the affected ear 3 to 4 times daily. For infants and children, 3 drops are suggested because of the smaller capacity of the ear canal.

The patient should lie with the affected ear upward and then the drops should be instilled. This position should be maintained for 5 minutes to facilitate penetration of the drops into the ear canal. Repeat, if necessary, for the opposite ear.

If preferred, a cotton wick may be inserted into the canal and then the cotton may be saturated with the suspension. This wick should be kept moist by adding further suspension every 4 hours. The wick should be replaced at least once every 24 hours.

SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING.

Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Hydrocortisone Otic Suspension USP is supplied in a white plastic dropper bottle in the following size:

10 mL bottles - Prod. No. 06509

Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F).

FOR OTIC USE ONLY

DO NOT USE IF IMPRINTED NECKBAND IS NOT INTACT.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

STERILE

Rx only

Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
Tampa, FL 33637
©Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

9115701 (Folded)
9115601 (Flat)
Prod. No. 06509

Repackaged by:

Rebel Distributors Corp

Thousand Oaks, CA 91320