Otofa

The drug "Otofa" contains the active substance rifamycin sodium. Rifamycin sodium is an antibiotic from the group of macrolides. It has a bactericidal effect against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

"Otofa" is commonly used to treat ear infections, especially acute otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear canal) and acute otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear). The drug is applied topically, administered directly into the ear in the form of drops.

Rifamycin sodium works by killing bacteria or slowing their growth, which helps eliminate the infection and relieve symptoms associated with ear inflammation, such as pain, itching, and discharge.

Before using Otofa, it is important to consult your doctor to make sure it is suitable for your case and not contraindicated. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance to the drug, as well as the development of unwanted side effects.

Indications Otofa

1. Acute and chronic otitis media: These are inflammatory processes in the middle ear, often caused by bacterial infection. Otofa can be used to treat both acute and chronic otitis media, relieving symptoms and destroying bacterial agents.
2. External otitis media(otitis externa): Inflammation of the external ear canal can also be effectively treated with Otof, especially when caused by rifamycin-sensitive bacteria.
3. Postoperative treatment: Otofa may be prescribed after ear surgery to prevent or treat infectious complications.
4. Infections associated with tympanic membrane perforation: Rifamycin sodium has a low risk of ototoxicity, making Otofa suitable for the treatment of ear infections even in the presence of tympanic membrane perforation.

Release form

Otofa is usually available as ear drops. The drops are packaged in vials with a dropper, which provides convenience and accuracy of dosing during application. Each milliliter of the solution contains a certain amount of rifamycin sodium.

Pharmacodynamics

1. Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis: Rifamycin sodium is an inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and others.
2. Broad spectrum of activity: It has activity against many different types of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
3. Topical use: Otofa is used topically, mainly for the treatment of ear infections such as otitis externa or other bacterial ear infections. Topical application allows high concentrations of the antibiotic to reach the site of infection, minimizing systemic side effects.
4. Mechanism of Action: Rifamycin sodium binds to a protein called the beta-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase, resulting in disruption of RNA transcription and therefore disruption of bacterial protein synthesis.

Pharmacokinetics

1. Absorption: Rifamycin is usually applied topically as drops in the ear. After topical application, it may be absorbed through the ear mucosa.
2. Distribution: Distributionof rifamycin in ear tissues appears to be localized. When applied topically, the drug concentration in the systemic bloodstream remains insignificant.
3. Metabolism: Rifamycin is metabolized in the liver. During metabolism various metabolites are formed.
4. Excretion: It is noted that rifamycin is excreted mainly with urine as metabolites.
5. Half-life: Thehalf-life of rifamycin sodium may vary depending on the individual organism and method of administration, but is usually several hours.

Dosing and administration

Here's how to properly apply this drug:

Method of Application:

1. Preparation: Before you start using the drops, it is important to make sure your ears are clean and dry. If necessary, you can gently rinse the ear canal with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth or cotton swab.
2. Warming: To avoid discomfort from cold drops, it is recommended to warm the vial with the preparation to body temperature by holding it in your hands for a few minutes.
3. Tilt yourhead: Tilt your head so that the sore ear is facing upwards. This will make it easier to inject and allow the solution to spread better into the ear canal.
4. Injection: Inject the drug into the ear canal according to the doctor's recommendations. It is usually recommended to inject 3-5 drops into the affected ear 2-3 times a day.
5. Hold the position: After injecting, stay with your head tilted for a few minutes to allow the drops to penetrate deeper into the ear canal.
6. Course of treatment: The duration of treatment is usually 7 days, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor.

Dosage:

• Adults and children: As a rule, it is recommended to inject 3-5 drops into the affected ear 2-3 times a day. The exact dosage and duration of treatment should be determined by a doctor.

Important Notes:

• Do not use Otofa if you are allergic to rifamycin sodium or other components of the medicine.
• Consult your doctor before using Otofa if you have a perforated eardrum, although Otofa is generally considered safe for use in the presence of a perforation.
• Avoid contact with eyes. If drops accidentally get into the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
• After opening the bottle, the shelf life of the drops is usually 1 month. Check this information on the package of the drug.

Use Otofa during pregnancy

To date, there are not enough studies to fully evaluate the safety of rifamycin sodium use during pregnancy. Nevertheless, in some cases, when the benefits of treatment exceed the potential risks, the doctor may prescribe this drug to a pregnant woman.

Contraindications

1. Hypersensitivity: People with known hypersensitivity to rifamcin or other components of the drug should not use Otofa because of the risk of allergic reactions.
2. Tuberculosis or leprosy: The use of rifamcin may be contraindicated in patients with tuberculosis or leprosy because of the risk of drug resistance and worsening of the condition.
3. Damage to the tympanic membrane: The use of Otof is contraindicated in the presence of damage to the tympanic membrane, as serious complications may occur due to penetration of the drug into the middle ear.
4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The safety and efficacy of Otof during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been established; therefore, its use should be evaluated and recommended by a physician.
5. Pediatric age: The safety and efficacy of Otof in children have not been established, therefore its use in this age group may be limited.
6. Hepatic insufficiency: The use of Otofa may be contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction due to the risk of toxic effects.
7. Diabetes mellitus: In patients with diabetes mellitus, the use of Otof may require caution due to possible effects on blood glucose levels.

Side effects Otofa

1. Rare allergic reaction: Allergic reactions to the drug components may occur, manifested as skin rash, itching, skin redness or edema.
2. Ear irritation: Some patients may experience temporary or mild ear irritation associated with the use of Otofa drops.
3. Possible increase in symptoms: Some patients may experience an increase in symptoms such as ear pain or itching after starting Otofa, which may be related to the start of treatment or the healing process.
4. Hearing impairment: In rare cases, temporary hearing impairment or a feeling of stuffy ears may occur.
5. Undesirable reactions to prolonged use: During prolonged use of the drug, resistant strains of bacteria may develop or other undesirable effects associated with antibiotics may occur.

Overdose

Information on overdose of Otofa (rifamycin sodium) is limited, and there is no definitive data on what doses may be considered dangerous. However, when using topical antibiotics such as Otofa, the likelihood of systemic toxic effects is usually low.

If signs of overdose or oversaturation occur, including acute deterioration, severe pain, burning, itching, swelling, or other unusual reactions at the site of application, medical attention should be sought immediately. A physician may recommend symptomatic treatment and supportive measures depending on the specific symptoms of overdose.

Interactions with other drugs

1. Local anesthetics: When using local anesthetics together with rifamycin, there may be a risk of increased absorption of local anesthetics through the ear mucosa, which may lead to an increase in their systemic action.
2. Preparations containing gentamicin or other antibiotics: The use of rifamycin in combination with other antibiotics, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics, may result in synergistic or additive effects with respect to inhibition of bacterial growth.
3. Drugs that increase the risk of osteomyelitis of the ears: The use of rifamycin may decrease the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat osteomyelitis of the ears, such as drugs containing aminoglycosides or cephalosporins.
4. Drugs that increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance: Prolonged or improper use of rifamycin may cause bacteria to develop resistance to this antibiotic, which may make it difficult to treat infections in the future.