Precautions for Cortisporin Ointment
General: As with other antibiotic preparations, prolonged use may result
in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. Treatment should
not be continued for longer than 7 days. If the infection is not improved after
1 week, cultures and susceptibility tests should be repeated to verify the identity
of the organism and to determine whether therapy should be changed. Allergic
cross-reactions may occur which could prevent the use of any or all of the aminoglycoside
antibiotics for the treatment of future infections. Use of steroids on infected
areas should be supervised with care as anti-inflammatory steroids may encourage
spread of infections. If this occurs, steroid therapy should be stopped and
appropriate antibacterial drugs used. Generalized dermatological conditions
may require systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Signs and symptoms of exogenous hyperadrenocorticism can occur with the use
of topical corticosteroids, including adrenal suppression. Systemic absorption
of topically applied steroids will be increased if extensive body surface areas
are treated or if occlusive dressings are used. Under these circumstances, suitable
precautions should be taken when long-term use is anticipated.
Laboratory Tests: Systemic effects of excessive levels of hydrocortisone
may include a reduction in the number of circulating eosinophils and a decrease
in urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Long-term studies
in animals (rats, rabbits, mice) showed no evidence of carcinogenicity attributable
to oral administration of corticosteroids.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C. Corticosteroids
have been shown to be teratogenic in rabbits when applied topically at concentrations
of 0.5% on days 6 to 18 of gestation and in mice when applied topically at a
concentration of 15% on days 10 to 13 of gestation. There are no adequate and
well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Corticosteroids should be used during
pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the
fetus.
Nursing Mothers: Hydrocortisone appears in human milk following oral
administration of the drug. Since systemic absorption of hydrocortisone may
occur when applied topically, caution should be exercised when CORTISPORIN Ointment
is used by a nursing woman. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric
patients have not been established. Sufficient percutaneous absorption of hydrocorti-
sone can occur in infants and children during prolonged use to cause cessation
of growth, as well as other signs and symptoms of hypera- drenocorticism.
Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Cortisporin Ointment (neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates, bacitracin zinc, and hydrocortisone) did not include
sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond
differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not
identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients.