Consumer medicine information

Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Chloramphenicol

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Active ingredient

Chloramphenicol

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Chloromycetin Ear Drops.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Chloromycetin Ear Drops. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Chloromycetin Ear Drops against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Chloromycetin is used for

Chloromycetin Ear Drops are used to treat bacterial infections of the ear.

Chloromycetin belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics.

It works by stopping the growth of bacteria causing your infection.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

This medicine is not addictive.

It is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you use it

When you must not use it

Do not use Chloromycetin Ear Drops if you have an allergy to:

  • chloramphenicol
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • any other similar medicines.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Chloromycetin Ear Drops should not be used if you have a burst eardrum.

Do not give Chloromycetin to babies or children, unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not use Chloromycetin Ear Drops after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start using this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to use it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had anaemia, bleeding or other blood problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using Chloromycetin Ear Drops.

Taking or using other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Chloromycetin Ear Drops and some other medicines may interfere with each other. These include other ear drops.

These medicines may be affected by Chloromycetin or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to use different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Chloromycetin.

How to use Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to use

The dose of Chloromycetin may be different for different people. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you the right amount to use.

The usual dose is four drops placed into the infected ear four times a day.

How to use them

Thoroughly clean your ear canal and dry it with a cotton applicator before using Chloromycetin Ear Drops.

You may warm Chloromycetin Ear Drops to body temperature, but no higher, by holding the bottle in your hand for a few minutes.

Lie down or tilt your head so the infected ear is facing upwards. Place the required number of drops 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 who cannot stay still for 5 minutes, try to keep the ear facing up for 1 to 2 minutes.

To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the ear). Close the container tightly after use.

How long to use them

Continue using Chloromycetin Ear Drops for as long as your doctor tells you. If you stop using this medicine too soon your symptoms may return.

If you forget to use them

If it is almost time for your next dose (less than 2 hours), skip the dose you missed and instil your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, instil a dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to using your medicine as you would normally.

Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to use your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Australian Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or the New Zealand National Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you think an infant or young child may have accidentally swallowed Chloromycetin Ear Drops.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The child may need urgent medical attention.

Contact your doctor or the Australian Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or the New Zealand National Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) if you or another adult accidentally swallows Chloromycetin Ear Drops. It is a good idea to do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are using Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Things you must do

Use Chloromycetin Ear Drops exactly as your doctor has told you.

If the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.

Stop using Chloromycetin Ear Drops and tell your doctor if irritation occurs or you experience an allergic reaction.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Chloromycetin Ear Drops.

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are using Chloromycetin.

Keep all of your doctor appointments so that your progress can be checked.

Things you must not do

Do not use Chloromycetin Ear Drops for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Do not use Chloromycetin Ear Drops to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop using your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, the infection may not be completely cured. The bacteria may grow again and your symptoms may return.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Chloromycetin Ear Drops affect you. This medicine generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, Chloromycetin may cause tiredness in some people. If you are affected, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well during or after using Chloromycetin Ear Drops. Chloromycetin helps most people with ear infections, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and it worries you:

  • temporary itching or burning

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • worsening of your condition
  • skin rash, itching or swelling
  • fever
  • unusual tiredness, weakness, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal

The above list includes serious side effects, which may require medical attention.

If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:

  • allergic reactions including fever, rash, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or sore throat that may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, shortness of breath, swelling of the hands, feet or ankles.

The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell during or after treatment with Chloromycetin.

After using Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Storage

Keep your Ear Drops in the bottle until it is time to use them. If you take the Ear Drops out of the bottle they may not keep well.

Keep unopened bottles in the refrigerator, where the temperature stays between 2°C and 8°C.

After opening, keep Chloromycetin Ear Drops in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Protect from light.

Discard unused Ear Drops within one month.

Do not store Chloromycetin Ear Drops or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep Chloromycetin Ear Drops where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop using Chloromycetin or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Chloromycetin Ear Drops should be discarded within one month after opening.

Product description

What it looks like

Chloromycetin Ear Drops are in a 5 mL white, plastic, dropper bottle with a tamper evident seal.

Ingredients

Each 1 mL contains 5 milligrams of chloramphenicol as the active ingredient. It also contains:

  • borax
  • boric acid
  • phenylmercuric nitrate.
  • purified water

Chloromycetin Ear Drops do not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Supplier

Chloromycetin Ear Drops are supplied in Australia by:

Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
www.pfizer.com.au

Australian Registration Number:

AUST R 57082

This leaflet was revised on November 2019

®Registered trademark
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd

Published by MIMS January 2020

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Chloromycetin Ear Drops

Active ingredient

Chloramphenicol

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Chloramphenicol.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chloramphenicol is a white to greyish white or yellowish white, fine crystalline powder or fine crystals, needles or elongated plates. Soluble 1 in 400 of water, 1 in 2.5 of alcohol, and 1 in 7 of propylene glycol; freely soluble in acetone and ethyl acetate; slightly soluble in ether. A 2.5% suspension in water has a pH of 4.5 to 7.5.

Chemical name.

2,2-dichloro-N-[(αR,βR) -β-hydroxy-α-hydroxymethyl -4-nitrophenethyl] acetamide.

Molecular formula.

C11H12Cl2N2O5.

Molecular weight.

323.1.

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

56-75-7.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Chloromycetin ear drops contain chloramphenicol 5 mg per 1 mL of purified water with boric acid, borax and phenylmercuric nitrate as the preservative.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Ear drops.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic originally isolated from Streptomyces venezuelae. It is primarily bacteriostatic and acts by inhibition of protein synthesis by interfering with the transfer of activated amino acids from soluble RNA to ribosomes.

Clinical trials.

No data available.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Chloramphenicol is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when given by mouth and widely distributed throughout most body tissues and fluids. It is inactivated primarily in the liver by glucuronyl transferase and excreted mainly in the urine.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

No data available.

Carcinogenicity.

No data available.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Treatment of otitis externa due to chloramphenicol sensitive organisms. May be used with caution in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.

4.3 Contraindications

Perforated tympanic membrane is considered a contraindication to the use of this medication in the external ear canal.
Chloromycetin Ear Drops are contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity and/or toxic reaction to chloramphenicol or any of its components.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Discontinue promptly if sensitisation or irritation occurs.
Bone marrow hypoplasia, including aplastic anaemia and death, has been rarely reported following local application of chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol should be used with caution in patients who have been identified as having an individual or family history of blood disorders. Chloramphenicol should not be used when less potentially dangerous agents would be expected to provide effective treatment.
The use of this antibiotic, as with other antibiotics, may result in an overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If infections caused by nonsusceptible organisms appear during therapy, its use should be discontinued and appropriate measures should be taken.
In all serious infections, the topical use of chloramphenicol should be supplemented by appropriate systemic medication.

Use in the elderly.

No data available.

Paediatric use.

No data available.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Systemically absorbed/ administered forms of chloramphenicol have been known to interact with certain drugs.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

No data available.
(Category A)
There are no studies to establish the safety of this drug in pregnancy.
Systemically absorbed forms of chloramphenicol enter the foetal circulation and are distributed into breast milk. If given systemically to the mother shortly before parturition or whilst breastfeeding, chloramphenicol may cause bone marrow suppression of the neonate or 'gray baby syndrome', characterised by cyanosis and hypothermia, owing to the limited glucuronidating capacity of the newborn infant's liver. However, limited absorption following otic use at the recommended dosage is generally not expected to pose a risk to the foetus or the neonate.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

The following clinical adverse experiences have been observed with the use of chloramphenicol. More serious side effects (indicated by *) have been reported in patients sensitive to chloramphenicol and are causes for discontinuing the medication.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders.

Bone marrow hypoplasia, including aplastic anaemia and death*, blood disorder (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Immune system disorders.

Anaphylactic reaction*, reaction to drug excipients.

Nervous system disorders.

Burning sensation.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Angioedema*, urticaria*, rash vesicular*, rash maculopapular*, pruritus.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Local irritation may include subjective symptoms of itching and burning, fever*, similar sensitivity reactions to other materials in topical preparations also may occur, pyrexia*.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Dosage.

Instil four drops in the affected ear(s) four times daily, or as directed by a physician. Discard the solution within one month of opening the container.
Chloromycetin Ear Drops are recommended for short-term use only.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of this medicine on a person's ability to drive and use machines were not assessed as part of its registration.

4.9 Overdose

Accidental ingestion of Chloromycetin Ear Drops is unlikely to cause systemic toxicity due to the low content of antibiotic. Each mL of Chloromycetin Ear Drops contains 19 mg of borax/ boric acid as buffer. It is advisable to keep medication out of reach of children. If accidentally ingested by infants or young children, a local Poisons Information Centre should be contacted. As there is individual variability in the pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in infants and children, monitor plasma levels. Levels exceeding 25 microgram/mL are frequently considered toxic.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Purified water, boric acid, borax, phenylmercuric nitrate.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store between 2°C and 8°C.
After dispensing, the drops may be stored below 25°C for up to 1 month and should then be discarded.
Protect from light.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Plastic dropper bottle with tamper seals: 5 mL.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Summary Table of Changes