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Over-the-counter ear infection medicines: What works and what to avoid

Explore which over-the-counter ear infection medicines can relieve pain or symptoms—and when you may still need a prescription.
Leandra Beabout
By | Jul. 15, 2025 Medically reviewed by Youssef Ghobrial, MD
Girl with an ear illustration: OTC ear infection medicines

Key takeaways

  • Ear infections in children older than 2 years old can often be treated with over-the-counter medications if caught early.

  • OTC ear infection medicines are intended to relieve symptoms, not cure the infection.

  • Common OTC ear infection medicines include painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen and ear drops.

In this article:

Ear infections are common, especially among young children. About 80% of children will experience otitis media, or a middle ear infection, before reaching adolescence. Though not contagious, ear infections can be incredibly painful and interfere with daily life and sleep habits. 

The good news is that some, but not all, earaches can be treated without a prescription. Keep reading to find out which over-the-counter (OTC) ear infection medications and natural remedies work best, plus when to seek help from a healthcare professional.

What are the best over-the-counter ear infection medicines?

There is no one-size-fits-all best over-the-counter treatment for ear infections. OTC medications may relieve symptoms, but they can not cure the infection. Because of that, healthcare providers emphasize that not all ear infections can or should be treated at home.

“When a patient requests to treat an ear infection at home, the first thing I need to know is whether we are working with an outer ear infection — aka swimmer’s ear— or a middle ear infection, which is an infection behind the ear drum,”  says Chrissie Ott, MD, a double-board- certified internist and pediatrician in Portland, Oregon. “If we are dealing with an inner ear or middle ear infection, then I’m less likely to advise home management.” Heather Gosnell, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and plant-based health coach, agrees: “For children under two or anyone with severe symptoms, I advise starting antibiotics right away.”

Bottom line: It’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before deciding to treat an ear infection at home. If the ear infections can be treated at home, the best treatment depends on which symptoms you’re trying to relieve. 

Types of OTC ear infection medicines

It’s important to determine the type of ear infection before treating it. There are three main types of ear infections:

  • Viral ear infection. Middle ear infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or a combination of both. The same virus that causes the common cold can cause viral ear infections, which resolve on their own over time. Antibiotics will not cure a viral infection — it just needs to run its course.
  • Bacterial ear infection. Ear infections can also be caused by bacteria that enter the ear canal or eustachian tubes, or even bacteria from an adjacent infection, such as strep throat. Bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics.
  • Swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa (OE), is inflammation of the outer ear canal rather than the middle ear. Swimmer’s ear is usually treated with ear drops, though oral or IV antibiotics may be necessary in cases of severe infection.

Once you’ve pinpointed the type of infection, you can choose between three common types of OTC medicines that relieve ear infection symptoms:

Pain relief options

“I tell my patients that most mild middle ear infections in kids over 2 can be managed at home with acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain,” Dr. Gosnell says. 

Popular OTC pain relievers for ear infections include:

Always follow the age guidelines and dosage instructions on the drug label. If you or the person with the ear infection is on prescription medication for a different condition, consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice, as even OTC medications can cause serious side effects or drug interactions.

OTC ear drops

Depending on their active ingredients, OTC ear drop solutions are intended to either prevent infection or promote healing. 

  • Swim-Ear is an ear drop solution that helps dry the ear canal to prevent swimmer’s ear. Dr. Gosnell says alcohol-based swimmer’s ear drops can be an effective preventative measure for patients prone to swimmer’s ear, but she warns that they are not effective against existing infections. 
  • Debrox is an ear drop solution that Dr. Ott recommends for people with swimmer’s ear. “It helps make the ear canal less friendly to the organisms that cause swimmer’s ear and allows the body to heal in a more optimal environment,” she says.
  • Antipyrine/benzocaine ear drops sold under the brand names A/B Otic Drops, Auralgan, and Aurodex are used to relieve ear pain and swelling. However, these medications are not FDA-approved and can exacerbate ear damage, so it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider before administering them.

Dr. Gosnell advises against homeopathic ear drop solutions, citing a lack of evidence that they work. She also recommends avoiding ear drops with numbing agents such as lidocaine. “The pain relief is brief and modest, and they can be risky if there’s a perforated eardrum or ear tubes,” she explains. 

Earwax removal products

Sometimes, what feels like an ear infection may actually be a clogged ear. Impacted earwax can cause symptoms that mimic an ear infection, such as ear pain, ear fullness, and partial hearing loss. Healthcare providers can easily and safely remove impacted earwax during an appointment; however, OTC earwax removal products are also available.

Medicated ear drops are one of the best OTC medications for softening impacted earwax so that it can be cleared from the ear canal. However, these should not be used on someone with an inner ear infection or eardrum damage. OTC earwax removal products include:

Avoid removing wax with any of the following products, which can worsen impaction or cause ear damage:

  • Cotton swabs
  • Ear candles
  • Ear vacuum kits
  • Sharp objects such as paperclips or hairpins

It is best to consult a healthcare professional before using earwax removal products if there is any chance of an ear infection.

Natural remedies for ear infection symptoms

Ear infections can be very painful, but there are steps you can take to help relieve symptoms as the infection runs its course or is treated by antibiotics. “Supportive care like warm compresses, extra fluids, and a cool mist humidifier can help keep [you or] your child comfortable,” Dr. Grosnell says.

  • Warm compresses. Many healthcare providers suggest applying a warm compress to the outside of the affected ear to reduce pain and potentially support ear drainage. Warm compresses — washcloths soaked in warm water and then wrung out before holding them to the affected area — are also effective for stuffy noses, which often accompany earaches.
  • Diluted hydrogen peroxide. A diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water may help with an earache caused by impacted wax, but this home remedy should not be used in the case of a severe ear infection (unless directed by a healthcare provider). Hydrogen peroxide helps soften wax, reducing pressure and congestion in the ear canal.
  • Extra fluids. Many people find that drinking herbal tea or warm water with honey helps soothe the pain and nasal congestion that often accompany an infected ear. The body also needs hydration to help fight off infections.
  • Cool mist humidifier. Cool mist humidifiers, or vaporizers, are popular home remedies for colds, coughs, and ear infections because adding moisture to the air seems to help soothe discomfort and loosen mucus and discharge. 

Prescription ear infection medication options

Antibiotics are the most common prescription medications for bacterial ear infections. The most common antibiotics for ear infections are penicillin-based oral drugs, though some cases may warrant a different type of antibiotic or antibiotic ear drops. 

Prescription antibiotics for ear infections include:

When to see a healthcare provider

Babies under 6 months with ear infection symptoms should be seen by a healthcare professional.  Parents and other caregivers should also know that The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends antibiotics in these situations:

  • Any time children have severe ear infection symptoms, such as a fever, ear pus/discharge, or moderate-to-severe ear pain 
  • Any time children younger than 2 years have even mild ear infection symptoms in both ears
  • Any time children under 2 years have mild ear infection symptoms in one ear that do not improve within 2-3 days of symptom onset

“I recommend monitoring symptoms for 48 hours while using acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain—if pain worsens or fever develops, it’s time to check in with your doctor,” Dr. Grosnell says. Worsening ear infection symptoms typically indicate that you need a prescription-strength treatment such as antibiotics. This applies to adults, older children, and younger children with symptoms of an ear infection.

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