Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of Topical AL-60371 Otic Suspension, 0.3% in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa

Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of Topical AL-60371 Otic Suspension, 0.3% in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the superiority of AL-60371, 0.3% Otic Suspension relative to AL-60371 Vehicle based on clinical cures at test-of-cure (TOC) for the treatment of acute otitis externa (AOE).

Patients were evaluated for safety and efficacy during the visits conducted at Day 3 (on-therapy), Day 8 (end-of-therapy), and Day 11 (TOC). Patients or parents/legal guardians completed a telephone diary twice daily to record assessments of ear pain, ear pain medication use, and the impact of ear pain on sleep and other daily activities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 6 months of age.
• Clinical diagnosis of acute otitis externa (AOE) based on clinical observation and of presumed bacterial origin in at least one ear.
• Combined numerical score of ≥4 in at least one affected ear at the Day 1 exam for tenderness, erythema, and edema.
• Agree to refrain from water immersion of the ears during the conduct of the entire study.
• Other protocol-defined inclusion criteria may apply.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Duration of signs or symptoms of AOE greater than 28 days in the affected ear(s) as reported by patient or parent/guardian.
• Presence of a tympanostomy tube or perforated tympanic membrane in the affected ear(s).
• Clinically diagnosed otic disease other than AOE (eg, malignant otitis externa) in the affected ear(s).
• Known or suspected ear infection of yeast, fungal or mycobacterial origin in the affected ear(s).
• Prior otologic surgery within 6 months of study entry in the affected ear(s).
• Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to quinolones or other ingredients present in the medications to be used in the study.
• Patients who use ear plugs, head phones or ear buds and are unwilling to discontinue their use during the study period.
• Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.