I have tried it and it does work but not quite a well as PJ cotton balls. It has been suggest to keep the antibiotic in it's package and the cotton ball plain until you need them. Then you can use them how you need them. I'm not a fan of that idea. I don't won't to be concerned if I am raiding my FAK for fire or vice versa. Somethings are too important to be "too clever by half."