Antipyrine and Benzocaine (Otic)

BRAND NAMES:
In the U.S.
A/B Otic
Allergen
Analgesic Otic
Antiben
Auralgan
Aurodex
Auroto
Dolotic
Ear Drops
Otocalm
BRAND NAMES:
In Canada
Auralgan
Earache Drops
Other commonly used names are:
phenazone
ethyl aminobenzoate

Description
Antipyrine and benzocaine ( an-tee-PYE-reen and BEN-zoe-kane) combination is used in the ear to help relieve the pain, swelling, and congestion of some ear infections. It will not cure the infection itself. An antibiotic will be needed to treat the infection. This medicine is also used to soften earwax so that the earwax can be washed away more easily.

In the U.S., this medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. In Canada, this medicine is available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose for your ear problem. This medicine is available in the following dosage form:

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

Proper Use of This Medicine
You may warm the ear drops to body temperature (37 C or 98.6 F) by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes before applying the drops.

To use:

Lie down or tilt the head so that the affected ear faces 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 facing up for about 5 minutes to allow the medicine to coat the ear canal. (For young children and other patients who cannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keep the ear facing up for at least 1 or 2 minutes.) A sterile cotton plug may be moistened with a few drops of this medicine and gently placed at the ear opening for no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to help keep the medicine from leaking out. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the ear).
Do not rinse the dropper after use. Wipe the tip of the dropper with a clean tissue and keep the container tightly closed.

If you are using this medicine to help remove earwax, the ear should be flushed with warm water after you have used this medicine for 2 or 3 days. This is usually done by your doctor. If you have been directed to flush the ear out yourself, make sure that you have learned how to do it correctly. Follow the instructions carefully.

Dosing - The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average amounts of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

For otic dosage form (ear drops):
Adults and children:
For ear pain caused by an infectionUse enough medicine to fill the entire ear canal every one or two hours until the pain is relieved.
For softening earwax before removalUse enough medicine to fill the entire ear canal three times a day for two or three days.

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

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 longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.