What is Ear Drops: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Ear Drops overview

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Generic Names:

  • Ear Drops

Uses:

  • Treats pain, swelling, and pressure of middle ear infections., Used to soften, loosen, and remove excess wax from your ears.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Ceruminolytic, Anesthetic, Local

Forms:

  • Drop, Liquid, Drop

How it’s taken:

  • Into the ear, Into the ear

What is Ear Drops used for?

What form(s) does Ear Drops come in

  • Drop

  • Liquid

  • Drop

What are common Ear Drops doses?

  • Bottle 15ML of 6.5%

Common Ear Drops prescriptions

  • Ear Drops
    15ml of 6.5% bottle

How to take Ear Drops

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Remove your hearing aid while using this medicine.

  • Otic routeUse this medicine only in your ear.

  • Otic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Otic routeYou may warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.

  • Otic routeRemove the cap. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your ear.

  • Otic routeLie down or tilt your head to the side. For a child, gently pull the child€™s earlobe down and back to straighten the child€™s ear canal. For an adult, gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal.

  • Otic routeDrop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.

  • You may hear a bubbling noise in your ear after placing the drop in it. This is normal and is not something to worry about.

  • Otic routeDo not rinse the dropper.

  • After using this medicine 4 days, gently flush your ear with warm water, using a soft bulb syringe to remove the wax.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Otic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Otic routeLie down or tilt your head to the side. For a child, gently pull the child€™s earlobe down and back to straighten the child€™s ear canal. For an adult, gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal.

  • Otic routeDo not rinse the dropper.

  • Otic routeUse this medicine only in your ear.

  • You may hear a bubbling noise in your ear after placing the drop in it. This is normal and is not something to worry about.

  • Remove your hearing aid while using this medicine.

  • Otic routeRemove the cap. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your ear.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Otic routeYou may warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.

  • After using this medicine 4 days, gently flush your ear with warm water, using a soft bulb syringe to remove the wax.

  • Otic routeDrop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.

  • Remove the cap but never touch the dropper tip to your ear or to anything else.

  • Lie down or tilt your head to the side. Gently pull the earlobe down and back (for children) or up and back (for adults) to straighten the ear canal.

  • Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take and how often.

  • Wash your hands. Warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.

  • Replace the bottle cap and wash your hands again.

  • Do not wash the dropper. Put it back in the bottle as soon as you are done with it.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take and how often.

  • Wash your hands. Warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.

  • Remove the cap but never touch the dropper tip to your ear or to anything else.

  • Do not wash the dropper. Put it back in the bottle as soon as you are done with it.

  • Lie down or tilt your head to the side. Gently pull the earlobe down and back (for children) or up and back (for adults) to straighten the ear canal.

  • Replace the bottle cap and wash your hands again.

  • Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ear Drops

  • Use your medicine as soon as you remember that you have missed your dose.

  • If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • You should not use two doses at one time.

  • You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Ear Drops contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carbamide peroxide. You should not use this medicine if you have a punctured eardrum, or discharge from your ear. You should not use this medicine if you have had an ear surgery, or if you have pain, irritation, or rash in your ear.

  • You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to antipyrine or benzocaine.

Ear Drops warnings

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • This medicine should not be given to children under 12 years of age without a doctor's approval.

  • Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If the medicine does get in your eyes, flush them with water and call your doctor right away.

  • Do not use this medicine for longer than 4 days.

  • Check with your doctor before using this medicine if you have a punctured eardrum or any other ear problems.

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

Ear Drops interactions

  • You should not use other ear medicines while using this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

  • Check with your doctor before using this medicine if you have a punctured eardrum or any other ear problems.

  • You should not use other ear medicines while using this medicine, unless your doctor tells you to.

  • This medicine should not be given to children under 12 years of age without a doctor's approval.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Do not use this medicine for longer than 4 days.

Ear Drops side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Itching or burning in ear

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Itching or burning in ear

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