The prescription drug Oticaine contains the medication benzocaine, which comes in a liquid form administered directly into your ears. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of pain and swelling associated with ear infections, Oticaine poses a risk of side effects in some patients.

Types of Side Effects

Common side effects of Oticaine include mild stinging, burning or irritation in the ears.

Time Frame

Notify your doctor if your symptoms worsen, if you have no improvement in your symptoms or if your side effects persist for five days after you begin treatment, because they may be a sign of a sensitivity to Oticaine, suggests Drugs.com.

Risks

Infrequently, Oticaine causes severe allergic reactions in patients, resulting in skin hives, chest pain, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, tongue, throat or extremities, warns Drugs.com. If you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek medical attention.

Precautions

Administering more drops than prescribed by your doctor increases your risk of side effects from Oticaine, cautions Drugs.com. Never touch the dropper to the inside of your ear, because it could contaminate the medication and cause re-infection.

Considerations

Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors restrict the use of Oticaine to instances when there is no safe alternative to treatment. Infants under the age of 3 months are at an increased risk of side effects from ear drops containing benzocaine, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Source:

Drugs.com: Oticaine

Mayo Clinic: Antipyrine and Benzocaine (Otic Route)