What is Oticaine? And if used for more than 2 months what damage will
be done to a childs ear?

Hi junebug,

Oticane is an ear drop that contains benzocaine, used to releive pain
from earaches due to an infection. Oticaine does not cure an ear
infection, it simply alleviates the pain, temporarily, while
antibiotics clear the infection. (Some simple ear infections may not
need antibiotics.)
http://medications.com/go/drug/Oticaine


The pertinent question is, why would this ear drop medication be
needed for two months? If this is the only treatment being used for an
ear infection, then permanent hearing damage can occur from constant
infection. If a child has an ear infection for this long, a doctor
should be consulted, and appropriate steps take to cure the infection.
Antibiotics in oral form, along with antibiotic ear drops may be
prescribed.

http://www.drugstore.com/qxn00254933943_333181_sespider/oticaine_otic/americaine_otic/oticaine_otic.htm

Ear drops are not intended for prolonged use
http://www.mdadvice.com/library/drug/drug19.html

Hearing loss and ear infections
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/causes.htm

I urge you to seek prompy medical attention. Please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating, if any part of my answer is unclear.

Regards,
crabcakes

Search Terms
Oticaine ear drops

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Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 29 Jun 2004 00:18 PDT

Hi junebug16,
I wanted to add another site I found for you:

This site refers to another ear drop, with benzocaine:
"OVERUSE OF THIS PRODUCT may hide symptoms of an ear infection. Do not
use more often than your doctor instructed. If your condition worsens,
contact your doctor"
http://www.iubenefitsrx.mimrx.com/iuhealth/pdr_log.asp?product_name=AMERICAINE+OTIC&mscssid=

THANK YOU SO MUCH, i WORK AT A DAYCARE AND WE ALWAYS HAVE QUESTIONS!!!!

Thank you junebug16,for the stars, and I hope you use Google Answers again!

By the way, I myself had an appointment last evening with my own ENT
doctor. I ran your question by her, and she said she knew of no reason
repeated use would cause harm to the ear, but reiterated what I had
said; Why would you *need* pain relief drops for more than a few days?

Regards, crabcakes