Otobiotic 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.

The use of otic preparations containing corticosteroids is contraindicated in patients with viral infections of the external canal including varicella and herpes simplex otitis externa. Corticosteroids may decrease host resistance to infectious agents, thus prolonging the course and/or exacerbating the severity of the infection while encouraging the development of new or secondary infection. Normally, corticosteroids may be administered with caution provided it is accompanied by appropriate anti-infective agents. However, otic preparations that are currently available lack effective antiviral agents.