What are Gentisone HC Drops?

• Gentisone HC ear drops contain two active ingredients, hydrocortisone and gentamicin. Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids that are used for reducing inflammation. Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is included in these drops to treat infections caused by bacteria.

What are Gentisone HC ear drops used for?

• Inflammation and infection of the outer part of the ear canal (otitis externa).
• Preventing otitis externa following injury to an ear.
• Controlling infection and inflammation following operations on infected bone cavities behind the ear (mastoid).

How do Gentisone HC ear drops work?

• Gentisone HC ear drops contain two active ingredients, hydrocortisone and gentamicin. Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids that are used for reducing inflammation. Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is included in these drops to treat infections caused by bacteria.
• Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands that have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses. Hydrocortisone is a synthetic steroid that can be adminstered into the ears to decrease inflammation in the local area.
• Inflammation occurs as a result of allergy or irritation and is caused by the release of substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the affected area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful. Corticosteroids work by acting within cells to decrease the release of these substances in a particular area, thereby reducing swelling, redness and itch.
• Gentamicin is an antibiotic that works by affecting the production of certain proteins by bacteria. These proteins are necessary for the bacteria's survival. Gentamicin causes the bacteria to produce abnormal and faulty proteins. This ultimately kills the bacteria and clears up the infection.
• The combination of hydrocortisone and gentamicin in Gentisone HC ear drops is used to treat inflammation and infection in the outer part of the ear canal.

Important information about Gentisone HC ear drops

• These drops are for use in the ears only and must not be taken by mouth.
• Do not use Gentisone HC drops for longer than prescribed by your doctor.
• Seek medical advice immediately if your symptoms get worse at any point during treatment, or if you think you have a new infection.
• Each bottle of this medicine should discarded four weeks after the first opening, because after this time the drops may be contaminated with germs. 

Gentisone HC ear drops should be used with caution in

• Infants.
• Elderly people.
• Decreased kidney function.
• Decreased liver function.
• Gentisone HC ear drops should not be used in
• People with a perforated eardrum.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. It should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects of Gentisone HC ear drops

• Ear irritation.
• Sensitisation or allergic reaction.
• Development of another infection.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can Gentisone HC ear drops affect other medicines?

• It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. However, when used in the ear this medicine is not anticipated to affect other medicines.

References:

https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/gentamicin-and-hydrocortisone-ear-drops-inflammatory-ear-infections

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6554/smpc

https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/PIL-2189409-18052017141238-636307135588593750.pdf

https://www.medicines.ie/medicines/gentisone-hc-0-3-w-v-1-0-w-v-ear-drops-suspension-32269/smpc

https://www.drugs.com/uk/gentisone-hc-ear-drops-leaflet.html

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/ear-nose-throat/a6803/gentisone-hc-ear-drops-hydrocortisone-gentamicin/