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1. Otomize
2. Otomize

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Otomize

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Neomycin Sulphate. 0.5% w/w (3250 IU/ml)

Dexamethasone 0.1% w/w Glacial Acetic Acid 2.0% w/w

For excipients see 6.1. Includes methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate and stearyl alcohol (see section 4.4).

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

A milky oil-in-water emulsion as a liquid ear spray for application into the external auditory meatus

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For the treatment of otitis externa

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Adults (including the elderly) and children 2 years of age and over:

Discontinue treatment if there is no clinical improvement after 7 days (see section 4.4).

One metered dose (60mg) to be administered directly into each affected ear three times daily.

Treatment should be continued until two days after symptoms have disappeared. Infants and neonates (under 2 years of age):

Otomize ear spray is not suitable for infants and neonates (see section 4.3).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to neomycin sulphate, dexamethasone, glacial acetic acid or to any of the excipients.

The product should not be used in patients where a perforated tympanic membrane has been diagnosed or is suspected or where a tympanostomy tube (grommet) is in situ.

The product should not be used in infants and neonates under 2 years of age.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Product use should be discontinued, and medical advice sought where appropriate, if irritation or rash occurs, or if the condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days.

When otitis externa is treated topically with preparations containing aminoglycosides, in patients who have a perforation of the tympanic membrane, there is an increased risk of drug induced deafness. It is therefore important to ensure that there is no perforation in such patients (see section 4.3).

It is important to exclude chronic alternate diagnoses, including chronic otitis media, before treatment is commenced.

Treatment with corticosteroid/antibiotic combinations should not be continued for more than 7 days in the absence of any clinical improvement, since prolonged use may lead to occult extension of infections due to the masking effect of the steroid.

In children there is a theoretical risk that sufficient steroid may be absorbed to cause adrenal suppression, with prolonged use increasing this risk of adrenal suppression in children.

Prolonged use may also lead to skin sensitisation and the emergence of resistant organisms.

Due to potentially immature renal function in children toxicity may develop, thus caution is warranted when administering neomycin in this age group.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics may cause irreversible, partial or total deafness when given systemically or when applied topically to open wounds or damaged skin. This effect is dose related and is enhanced by renal or hepatic impairment. This possibility should be considered when high doses or prolonged treatment is given to small children.

Contains methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates (E218 and E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

Contains stearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g., contact dermatitis).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation Pregnancy

There are no adequate data on the use of dexamethasone in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown topical administration of corticosteroids to cause reproductive toxicity.

There is a risk of foetal ototoxicity if aminoglycoside antibiotics preparations are administrated during pregnancy.

Otomize is not recommended during pregnancy.

Lactation

No reports describing the use of neomycin or dexamethasone during human lactation are available and the effects on the nursing infant from exposure to the drug in milk are unknown. Maternal use of topical preparations generally carries less risk than a systemically administered drug.

A risk to the breast-fed child cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from Otomize therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Unresolved ear problems could themselves affect driving ability.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Some patients may experience a transient stinging or burning sensation for the first few days of treatment.

Skin sensitisation / hypersensitivity reactions (immediate and delayed) leading to irritation, burning, stinging, itching and dermatitis.

4.9 Overdose

Overdosage by this route is extremely unlikely.

5    PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1    Pharmacodynamic properties

Neomycin sulphate is an established antibiotic with a well characterised broad spectrum of activity. Dexamethasone is a well established topical antiinflammatory steroid. Acetic acid functions to produce a low pH to assist in the control of bacterial infection.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Otomize ear spray is applied topically to the external auditory meatus and acts locally.

The spray provides excellent distribution and coverage of the surface.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

No additional data of relevance

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Macrogol (2) Stearyl Ether Macrogol (20) Stearyl Ether Stearyl Alcohol Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate Propyl Parahydroxybenzoate Purified Water

Incompatibilities

None known

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf life of the product as packaged for sale: 24 months from the date of manufacture

Shelf life after first opening of the container: Use within one month of first use

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store upright in a carton. Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

The product is supplied in an amber glass bottle of 5ml capacity fitted with a spray device.

6.6    Special precautions for disposal

Shake the bottle well before use. Before first use, press actuator down several times to obtain a fine spray. Each press then delivers one metered dose. Do not inhale the spray.

Administer spray directly by gently placing nozzle tip into ear opening and pressing down once on the actuator. Use within one month of first use. If there is a period of more than one week since last use, press actuator down a few times before using again.

7    MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Forest Laboratories UK Ltd

Riverbridge House

Anchor Boulevard

Crossways Business Park

Dartford

Kent

DA2 6SL