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Health Centres - Tri-adcortyl otic
How does it work?
This medicine contains four active ingredients, triamcinolone acetonide, neomycin sulphate, gramicidin and nystatin.
Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful.
When triamcinolone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch. Triamcinolone is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema.
Neomycin, gramicidin and nystatin are all medicines used to treat infections.
Neomycin sulphate is a type of antibiotic called an aminoglycoside. It works by entering bacterial cells and interfering with the production of proteins that the bacteria need to divide and multiply. It doesn't directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The existing bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system.
Gramicidin is a different type of antibiotic, and the combination of these two antibiotics provides treatment against a wide variety of bacteria that may infect the skin.
Nystatin is an antifungal medicine. It kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. Nystatin works by binding to a substance called ergosterol, which is a component of fungal cell membranes. Binding to ergosterol disrupts the cell membrane and causes holes to appear. The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As nystatin causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi.
The combination of these anti-infective medicines with the anti-inflammatory triamcinolone is used to treat a condition called otitis externa. This is an inflammation of the skin lining the outer ear canal, and is often associated with an infection. This combination of medicines treats both the infection and the inflammation.
What is it used for?
-
Inflammation of the ear canal (otitis externa) that is infected with bacteria or fungi
Warning!
- Consult your doctor if after seven days of treatment with this medicine there is little or no improvement in your symptoms.
- This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.
- Do not use for longer than 5 days in children.
- Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes and the moist membranes lining the inside of certain parts of the body, eg mouth, nasal passages (mucous membranes).
- Do not apply dressings to the ear while using this medicine, as this increases the chances of the medicine being absorbed into the body, and the risk of adverse effects.
Use with caution in
- Impaired hearing
Not to be used in
- Children less than 1 year of age
- Perforated ear drum
- Skin infections with fungi not susceptible to nystatin
-
Tuberculosis infection of the skin
- Viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes simplex
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Allergic reaction to active ingredient
- Kidney damage
- Hearing problems (ototoxicity)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use
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