Acetasol HC

Acetasol HC, which is a hydrocortisone and acetic acid combination, is used for the treatment of several problems of ear canal.
It is a topical drug which is used to reduce itching, swelling and redness which accompanies several conditions like inflammation, foreign body injury etc. This combination is available only in the form of solution which can be put in the form of drops in the ear canal only according to a doctor’s prescription.

Patient is the authoritative figure when it comes to any medical procedure or any drug therapy. It is important for the patient to know all the details about .

Doctor also has a duty to bring out answers from the patient which play an important role in treatment like history, any allergy or any medical condition the patient has. For this purpose, it is important to have a detailed session between patient and the physician before starting this drug to sort out all the details.

• Detailed history of a patient is extremely important prior to any medical therapy and in this case, it is more likely that a drug be started after it. Allergies or any history of allergy to any drug, food, preservatives, dyes or animal products; history of drug usage, past medical or surgical procedure should also be kept in record to predict any drug interaction.
• Physical examination should be done before starting this drug so that any physiological or pathological condition with which this drug may interfere may be ruled out.
• Age specific analysis is vital to have information about side effects of different age groups. There is lack of enough studies in children or old age group to compare its usefulness and harms. There is also deficiency of studies regarding its use in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Drug interactions are the effects on the therapy or the condition for which the drug is used by other drugs used concomitantly. It is necessary that no drug be started without consulting a physician as other drugs may cause alteration in the effect of this drug or its removal from the body. The use of live Rotavirus vaccine is contraindicated while on this combination drug. There are certain drugs whose use with this drug is not recommended however the physician may change the dose of one drug or the other like atracurium, aldesleukin, bupropion, dasabuvir, piperaquine, pixantrone, topotecan, alcuronium, licorice and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Patient should also get information about the effects of certain foods, tobacco and alcohol when used during this therapy.
• Medical conditions, other than the condition for which this drug is used, may also affect working of the drug and cause harm. It is important for the patient to give detailed history, and important for the doctor to derive such details from the patient to avoid such circumstances. The conditions which may interact with this drug include punctured ear drum and any other ear infection.

Acetasol HC is available in the form of solution to be put into the ear canal. Patient is asked to lie down and tilt the head so that the affected ear is facing upwards. Lift the pinna upward and backward in adults (downward and backward in children) to open the passage to the ear canal and align it. Put the drop through the dropper and keep the head still for 5 minutes to allow the drops to reach the end of canal.

A cotton plug can be put on the opening of the ear and drops to prevent leakage. Drops can also be put on the cotton plug to keep it moist. Sterile conditions should be maintained as much as possible. Avoid touching the dropper or cleaning it with water and wipe it only with cotton or a clean tissue paper.

In using Acetasol HC, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

Precautions are the part and parcel of any treatment and patient must adhere to these to improve the outcome. It is the duty of the doctor or any medical care provider to make the patient aware about these tips as an aid to the therapy.

• Observation by doctor, when the drug is being given, is necessary to make sure if the drug is working or not.
• If the condition does not improve within 5 to 7 days, consult your doctor again.
• Use only the dosage recommended by the doctor.
• Avoid washing the dropper with water as it can enter the solution and dilute it.
• Avoid handling the dropper as much as possible to maintain good hygiene.
• Store the drug in a dry environment at room temperature. Keep it away from the reach of children.

There is no drug in the world which is without its unwanted effects. Some drugs are relatively safe for use while for some drugs, the patient should be cautious as these drugs may cause more harm than good. Patient should always get medical help in case of any adverse effect, no matter how trivial it is.

Due to its topical application, does not pass through body systems and is much safer as compared to other drugs. Some side effects associated with this combination drug include allergic reactions, itching, burning sensation and mild discomfort.