Otosporin

Otosporin is a fixed-dose combination ear drop containing the corticosteroid hydrocortisone and the antibiotics neomycin and polymyxin B. It is approved for the treatment of bacterial otitis externa (swimmer's ear) and other superficial bacterial infections of the external auditory canal. Hydrocortisone acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by agonizing the glucocorticoid receptor, thereby reducing swelling, redness, and itching. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, while polymyxin B, a polypeptide antibiotic, disrupts the bacterial outer membrane by binding to lipopolysaccharides (specifically lipid A). Together, these components provide comprehensive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action to resolve ear infections and alleviate associated discomfort.

Brand names

Otosporin

Other names

hydrocortisone + neomycin + polymyxin bhydrocortisone/neomycin/polymyxin bneomycin + polymyxin b + hydrocortisoneneomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisoneneomycin/polymyxin b/hydrocortisone