Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For otic corticosteroids, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to corticosteroids. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as certain preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies with otic corticosteroids have not been done in pregnant women. However, in animal studies, corticosteroids have been shown to cause birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—Corticosteroids pass into breast milk. Be sure you have discussed the risks to the child and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children—There is no specific information about the use of otic corticosteroids in children. Children born to mothers taking otic corticosteroid therapy during their pregnancy should be observed for decrease in growth and for hypoadrenalism (anorexia, low blood pressure, and weakness).

Older adults—Although there is no specific information about the use of otic corticosteroids in the elderly, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction may occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking otic corticosteroids, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking the following:

• Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin)

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of otic corticosteroids. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Epilepsy—Using otic corticosteroids may worsen this condition

• Heart disease—Irregular heartbeat and change in blood pressure are more likely to occur

• Glaucoma or
• High blood pressure—Otic corticosteroids may increase the pressure in the blood vessels of the eye and throughout the body

• Osteoporosis—Otic corticosteroids increase the risk of bone fractures

• Fungal infections or
• Tuberculosis or
• Viral infections or
• Otitis media, chronic or
• Any other ear infection or condition (or history of)—Otic corticosteroids may worsen existing infections or cause new infections

• Punctured ear drum—Using otic corticosteroids with a punctured ear drum may damage the ear