This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: Canada
Sofracort
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat some eye or ear problems when an infection is present.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
For all uses of this drug:
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has an infection with oozing or pus.
For use in the eye:
- If your child has any of these health problems: A bacterial, fungal, viral, TB (tuberculosis), or any other kind of eye infection; glaucoma; ulcers in the eye; or red eyes or other eye problems where the cause is not known.
For use in the ear:
- If your child has a fungal infection of the ear.
- If your child has any of these health problems: Chickenpox, herpes infection, or other viral infection of the ear.
- If your child has a hole in the eardrum.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
For all uses of this drug:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not give this drug to your child for longer than you were told by the doctor.
- This drug may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your child’s eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child’s blood sugar closely.
- If your child has an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma, talk with the doctor.
- Drugs like this one may cause loss of hearing when put on open wounds or damaged skin. If this happens, this may not go back to normal. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
For use in the eye:
- This drug may cause blurred eyesight after it is put in your eye. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for clear eyesight until this goes away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
For all uses of this drug:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of Cushing’s disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Change in eyesight.
- Dizziness.
- Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or any other changes in hearing.
- Change in balance.
For use in the eye:
- Eye pain.
- Severe eye irritation.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Burning or stinging.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
For all uses of this drug:
- Keep using this drug as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child’s signs get better.
- Wash hands before and after use.
- Put the cap back on after your child is done using a dose.
For use in the eye:
- Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin. This could lead to bacteria in the drug, which may cause severe eye problems or loss of eyesight.
- Tilt your child’s head back and drop drug into the eye.
- After giving this drug, ask your child to keep eyes closed. Put light pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your child’s eye.
For use in the ear:
- Do not touch the container tip to the skin.
- Have your child lie on their side with the problem ear up.
- For children 3 years of age and older, pull the outer ear outward and upward.
- For children younger than 3 years of age, pull the outer ear outward and downward.
- Put drops in ear without touching dropper to ear.
- Have your child stay on his/her side for 2 minutes or put a cotton plug into ear.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- If you are not sure what to do if your child misses a dose, call the doctor.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- After opening, throw away any part not used after 28 days.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-11-20
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