benzocaine otic

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Before using benzocaine otic, tell your doctor if you have any allergies.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not place the dropper tip into your ear, or allow the tip to touch any surface. It may become contaminated. Wipe the tip of the medicine bottle with a clean tissue. Do not wash the dropper tip with water or soap.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse during the first few days of treatment with benzocaine otic.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Benzocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Benzocaine otic is used to treat pain, itching, and irritation caused by infection or injury of the ear. Benzocaine will not treat the infection.

Benzocaine otic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Before using benzocaine otic, tell your doctor if you have any allergies.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether benzocaine otic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Use this medicine only in the affected ear. You may not need to use it in both ears.

Wash your hands before using this medicine.

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. Hold the dropper upside down over your ear canal and drop the correct number of ear 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 2 minutes. You may use a small piece of cotton to plug the ear and keep the medicine from draining out. Follow your doctor's instructions about the use of cotton.

Wipe the tip of the medicine bottle with a clean tissue. Do not wash the dropper tip with water or soap.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse during the first few days of treatment with benzocaine otic.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.

Avoid swimming until your ear infection has completely cleared up.

Do not use other ear drops unless your doctor has told you to.

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.

Call you doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• skin rash;
• severe itching or burning in your ear; or
• pain, redness, or swelling of your ear.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as mild stinging, burning, or irritation in the ear.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

There may be other drugs that can affect benzocaine otic. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has more information about benzocaine otic written for health professionals that you may read.

Benzocaine otic is available with a prescription under the brand name Americaine, Omedia, Oticaine, and Otocain. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.