Drug Info: A: Antipyrine and Benzocaine (Otic)

In the U.S.—

In Canada—

Another commonly used name for antipyrine is phenazone;ethyl aminobenzoate.

• Analgesic-anesthetic, otic
• Cerumen removal adjunct

Antipyrine and benzocaine ( an-tee-PYE-reen andBEN-zoe-kane) combination is used in the ear to help relievethe pain, swelling, and congestion of some ear infections. Itwill not cure the infection itself. An antibiotic will beneeded to treat the infection. This medicine is also used tosoften earwax so that the earwax can be washed away moreeasily.

In the U.S., this medicine is available only with yourdoctor's prescription. In Canada, this medicine is availablewithout a prescription. However, your doctor may have specialinstructions on the proper dose for your ear problem. Thismedicine is available in the following dosage form:

• Otic
• Otic solution (ear drops) (U.S. and Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using themedicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This isa decision you and your doctor will make. For antipyrine andbenzocaine combination, the following should beconsidered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you haveever had any unusual or allergic reaction to antipyrine orbenzocaine or other local anesthetics. Also tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to any othersubstances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Although studies on effectsin pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals,this medicine has not been reported to cause problems inhumans.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whetherthis medicine passes into the breast milk. Although mostmedicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many ofthem may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who areusing this medicine and who wish to breast-feed shoulddiscuss this with their doctor.

Children—Infants, especially infantsup to 3 months of age, may be especially sensitive to theeffects of the benzocaine in this combination medicine. Thismay increase the chance of side effects. However, thismedicine is not expected to cause different side effects orproblems in older children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have notbeen studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it maynot be known whether they work exactly the same way they doin younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of antipyrine and benzocaine in the elderlywith use in other age groups, this medicine is not expectedto cause different side effects or problems in older peoplethan it does in younger adults.

• Your ear is draining—The chance of unwanted effectsmay be increased

You may warm the ear drops to body temperature (37 °Cor 98.6 °F) by holding the bottle in your hand for a fewminutes before applying the drops.

To use:

• Lie down or tilt the head so that the affected earfaces up. Gently pull the earlobe up and back for adults(down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal.Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facingup for about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to coat theear canal. (For young children and other patients whocannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keep the ear facingup for at least 1 or 2 minutes.) A sterile cotton plug maybe moistened with a few drops of this medicine and gentlyplaced at the ear opening for no longer than 5 to 10minutes to help keep the medicine from leaking out. If youhave any questions about this, check with your doctor.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do nottouch the dropper to any surface (including the ear).
• Do not rinse the dropper after use. Wipe the tip ofthe dropper with a clean tissue and keep the containertightly closed.

If you are using this medicine to help remove earwax, theear should be flushed with warm water after you have usedthis medicine for 2 or 3 days. This is usually done by yourdoctor. If you have been directed to flush the ear outyourself, make sure that you have learned how to do itcorrectly. Follow the instructions carefully.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for differentpatients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on thelabel. The following information includes only theaverage amounts of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unlessyour doctor tells you to do so.

• For otic dosage form (ear drops):
  • Adults and children:
    • For ear pain caused by an infection—Useenough medicine to fill the entire ear canal every oneor two hours until the pain is relieved.
    • For softening earwax before removal—Useenough medicine to fill the entire ear canal threetimes a day for two or three days.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose,skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosingschedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longerneeded. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of thereach of children.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause someunwanted effects. The following side effects may mean thatyou are having an allergic reaction to the medicine. Stopusing the medicine right away if any of them occur. Checkwith your doctor if any of the following effects continue orare bothersome:

• Itching, burning, redness, or oozing sores in theear

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in somepatients. If you notice any other effects, check with yourdoctor.