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Hydrocortisone / Acetic Acid Coupon - Hydrocortisone / Acetic Acid 10ml of 1%/2% ear dropper

hydrocortisone / acetic acid

Generic Acetasol HC
Used for Ear Infection
Used for Ear Infection

Hydrocortisone/acetic acid is a prescription combination medication that's used to treat an outer ear infection (otitis externa or swimmer's ear). This medication contains a corticosteroid (hydrocortisone) that lessens inflammation and an antiseptic (acetic acid) that fights the infection. People 3 years and older can use the hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops. The medication is directly placed in the ears several times a day. Although side effects are rare, they can include occasional burning or stinging in the ears.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 29, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Hydrocortisone/acetic acid?

What is Hydrocortisone/acetic acid used for?

  • Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 3 years and older

How Hydrocortisone/acetic acid works

Hydrocortisone/acetic acid is a combination of two medications.

  • Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that helps lower inflammation. When it's used directly in the ear, it helps treat itching, swelling, redness, and pain in the ear.

  • Acetic acid is an antiseptic. It stops bacteria and fungi from growing inside your ear by making the area more acidic and harming the germs causing the infection.

Are you looking for information on acetic acid ear drops instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAcetasol HC (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassCorticosteroid / Antiseptic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$202.88(save 69.43%)
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What are the side effects of Hydrocortisone/acetic acid?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Stinging in the ear
  • Burning feeling in the ear

Other Side Effects

  • Ear irritation

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Anorexia, weakness, weight loss (in children)

stinging, itching, irritation, or burning of the ear

There have not been any other side effects reported with this medicine. However, if you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Hydrocortisone/acetic acid

thumbs-up

Pros

Contains two medications in a single product that relieves symptoms and fights the ear infection at the same time

Few side effects

Available as a lower-cost generic

thumbs-down

Cons

Can only be used for outer ear infections

Must use many times a day

Hasn't been studied for children under 3 years old

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Hydrocortisone/acetic acid

pharmacist

  • Place hydrocortisone/acetic acid drops in the ears only. Don't use the drops anywhere else in or on the body; this can be harmful.

    • Use hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop using the medication, even if you feel better. Stopping your treatment course earlier than prescribed can cause the infection to come back and be harder to treat.

      • Remember to wash your hands before and after putting hydrocortisone/acetic acid in your ears. Don't let the dropper tip touch your ear or any other surface, and don't touch the tip with your hands. This helps prevent the ear drops from getting contaminated with germs, which will help lessen the chance that your infection gets worse and of any new infections.

        • Gently clean and dry your ear before you use hydrocortisone/acetic acid. Remove any dirt or wax so that the medication can reach the infected parts of the ear.

          • How to use hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops: Lie down or tilt your head so the affected ear is facing up. Pull your ear back and upwards, and place the drops into the ear. Then, gently push the triangular piece of skin (the tragus) over the ear so that the medication can get into the ear better. Stay with the affected ear up for at least a few minutes. Use a clean tissue or cotton ball to wipe away any extra medication that drips out of the ear.

            • You might feel a little stinging or burning in the ear after you use hydrocortisone/acetic acid, especially when you first start using the medication. This is a normal reaction that happens when the medication gets to the inflamed parts in your ear. The stinging or burning feeling should go away as the ear starts to heal.

              • Speak to a healthcare professional if your symptoms (e.g., pain, itching, redness, hearing problems) don't start to get better after you've used hydrocortisone/acetic acid for a couple days. Sometimes, swimmer's ear can worsen and become a more serious problem, so it's important to treat it as soon as possible.

                • Keep the hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Hydrocortisone/acetic acid

                  How long does it take for hydrocortisone/acetic acid to work?
                  In general, it can take 2 to 3 days for ear infection symptoms to improve without treatment. It's possible for hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops to help relieve symptoms faster. But remember to use hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops for the prescribed amount of time, even if you start to feel better, to make sure the ear infection is completely gone. Contact your prescriber if you're concerned with how well hydrocortisone/acetic acid is working to treat your infection.
                  How long should you use hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops?
                  The typical length of treatment for treating outer ear infections with ear drops is 7 to 10 days. But your prescriber will decide how long you need to use the hydrocortisone/acetic acid ear drops. Use the medication exactly as prescribed, even if you feel better. Make sure to finish the entire treatment course to prevent your infection from coming back or worsening.
                  How long do I leave hydrocortisone/acetic acid in my ears?
                  On the first day of treatment, keep a piece of cotton that's soaked with hydrocortisone/acetic acid in the affected ear(s) for at least 24 hours. Take the cotton out after 24 hours, and then continue to place drops of hydrocortisone/acetic acid directly in the ear as prescribed. After you put in each drop, just leave the medication as is; you don't need to wash out the medication from your ear(s). Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you're not sure how many drops of hydrocortisone/acetic acid you should use each time or how often you should use the ear drops.
                  Does hydrocortisone/acetic acid get rid of ear wax?
                  No. Hydrocortisone/acetic acid isn't a medication that's used to remove ear wax, so it doesn't get rid of ear wax. You'll need to clean your ears to remove ear wax before you use hydrocortisone/acetic acid so the medication can reach the inside of your ears to clear the infection.
                  Is hydrocortisone/acetic acid over the counter?
                  No. Hydrocortisone/acetic acid is only available by a prescription from a healthcare professional.
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                  dosage

                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid dosage forms

                  The average cost for 1 ear dropper of 10ml of 1%/2% of Hydrocortisone/acetic acid is $62.01 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 69.43% off the average retail price of $202.88.
                  ear dropper
                  Ear dropper
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  10ml of 1%/2%1 ear dropper$62.01$62.01

                  Typical dosing for Hydrocortisone/acetic acid

                  Soak a piece of cotton with hydrocortisone/acetic acid and place it in the infected ear(s). You can also put the cotton in the ear first and then wet it with the hydrocortisone/acetic acid drops. Leave the cotton in the ear(s) for at least 24 hours. Add 3 to 5 drops of hydrocortisone/acetic acid every 4 to 6 hours to keep it wet.

                  Take out the cotton after 24 hours, but continue to put 5 drops of hydrocortisone/acetic acid in the infected ear(s) 3 or 4 times per day, as instructed by a healthcare professional. Some children with smaller ears might only need 3 or 4 drops at a time.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Hydrocortisone/acetic acid and other drugs

                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Hydrocortisone/acetic acid. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  • Alcuronium
                  • Atracurium
                  • Auranofin
                  • Colestipol
                  • Gallamine
                  • Hexafluorenium
                  • Licorice
                  • Metocurine
                  • Primidone
                  • Rifapentine
                  • Saiboku-To
                  drug-cost

                  How much does Hydrocortisone/acetic acid cost?

                  To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid (generic)
                  GoodRx lowest price

                  $62.01

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                  contraindications-icon

                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Hydrocortisone/acetic acid will not be safe for you to take.

                  • Perforated eardrum (also known as ruptured eardrum)

                  • Certain viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex, varicella)

                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Hydrocortisone/acetic acid?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Hydrocortisone/acetic acid. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid
                  Used for:

                  • Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 3 years and older

                  $62.01 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Cortisporin Otic
                  Used for:
                  $32.38 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin / dexamethasone)
                  Used for:

                  • Middle ear infections (otitis media) in children ages 6 months and older with surgically-placed ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes)

                  • Outer ear canal infections (swimmer's ear or otitis externa) in people 6 months and older

                  $63.52 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  images

                  Hydrocortisone/acetic acid images

                  This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.
                  colorless - Hydrocortisone / Acetic Acid 1%-2% Otic Solution
                  This medicine is Colorless Ear Dropper.colorless - Hydrocortisone / Acetic Acid 1%-2% Otic Solution

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Feng, L., et al. (2022). Evaluation of the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence effects of acetic acid and the related mechanisms on colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BioMed Central Microbiology.

                  Saptalis Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (2024). Hydrocortisone and acetic acid- hydrocortisone and acetic acid otic solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use ear drops.

                  View All References (4)

                  National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). Anatomy of the ear.

                  Sander, R., et al. (2001). Otitis externa: A practical guide to treatment and prevention. American Family Physician.

                  American Family Physician. (2023). Acute otitis externa (swimmer’s ear).

                  MedlinePlus. (2022). Ruptured eardrum.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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