Allergen Disease Interactions

The use of medications that are intended for the treatment of otitis externa or other conditions of the external ear canal should generally be avoided, or otherwise approached with caution, in patients with a perforated tympanic membrane due to the risk of toxicity from medication that may get into the middle ear. Caution is also advised in patients with longstanding, chronic otitis media because of the possibility of a perforated tympanic membrane in such patients.

Rarely, benzocaine has induced methemoglobinemia resulting in respiratory distress and cyanosis. Therapy with benzocaine should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to methemoglobinemia. If life-threatening or severe methemoglobinemia develops, methylene blue infused at a dosage of 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight will rapidly reverse or improve the condition except in G-6-PD-deficient patients.