U.S. Marshals Seize Auralgan Otic Solution (Unapproved FDA Medication)

Auralgan Otic Solution, a prescription drug used to treat pain and inflammation associated with ear infections, was being distributed in violation of federal law because the product does not have FDA approval and its labeling does not include adequate directions for use.

On Feb. 5, 2010, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Deston, the maker of Auralgan, citing the company for distributing unapproved new drugs and misbranded drugs.

As such, on Feb 15, 2011, US Marshals seized all lots of Auralgan Otic Solution warehoused at Integrated Commercialization Solutions Inc. (ICS) in Brooks, KY.

Read the FDA notice here.

Cell phone Use May Cause Ear Pain/Dermatitis

With increasing use of cell phones in the population, there seems to be an increasing number of patients who present with complaints of pain in/around the ear with cell phone use. When cell phone use ceases, the pain/discomfort fades only to return with use.

In this scenario, something to consider is contact dermatitis due to the cell phone. Why? Apparently, many cell phone casings contain free nickel which often causes skin problems, just like cheap jewelry.

Check out this table which shows the results of nickel spot testing on 23 different cell phones.

Read a research paper on this topic here.

New Webpage on the Mystery Ear Pain (ie, Ear Pain NOT Caused by Ear Infection)

A new webpage has been posted describing the various causes of ear pain NOT due to ear infections. Indeed, many patients and even physicians do not realize that there are MANY different problems in the head and neck that may lead to ear pain as a patient's only complaint. The reasons can be as simple as tonsillitis (ear pain referred by cranial nerve 9) to as dangerous as throat cancer (ear pain referred by cranial nerve 9 or 10).

Click here to read more about this topic.