Antiseptic Eardrops - Ear Infection Prevention

Antiseptic eardrops are a sterile solution containing antiseptic agents used to prevent or treat minor ear infections, reduce ear canal inflammation, and promote ear hygiene.
Category
Product
Where to get
Available at pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online retailers specializing in ear care products.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Antiseptic Eardrops FAQ


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What are antibiotic ear drops?

If you have an ear infection, your healthcare provider may recommend antifungal or antibiotic ear drops. Active ingredients in these ear drops often include: Acetic acid. Aluminum acetate. Ciprofloxacin. Ofloxacin. Tobramycin. Gentamicin. Clotrimazole. Fluconazole. Miconazole. Can I get antibiotic ear drops over the counter?

What are ear drops?

Ear drops are liquid medications that you put inside your ear canal. You can buy some kinds of ear drops over the counter. Others require a prescription from a healthcare provider. You should consult a healthcare provider before using ear drops.

What are OTC ear drops?

OTC ear drops are either water- or oil-based. Ingredients typically found in earwax removal eardrops include glycerin, mineral oil, and saline solutions. These ear drops may also contain other substances, such as carbamide peroxide , baking soda, and acetic acid. You can try a home remedy like hydrogen peroxide for earwax removal.

What are ear drops used for?

This ear drop is used to treat outer ear infections caused by bacteria (also known as swimmer's ear ). This medication contains neomycin and polymyxin, which are antibiotics that work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

How do antibiotic ear drops work?

Antibiotic ear drops are often prescribed to treat outer ear infections . Commonly prescribed ear drops like Ciprodex  (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone), combine an antibiotic and a steroid medication to help with inflammation. These ear drops should be used exactly as prescribed by your provider and for as long as they tell you to use them.

Are prescription-only ear drops a viable treatment for outer ear infections?

But prescription-only ear drops – for instance, containing antibiotics or steroids – are often used too. Researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration (an international network of researchers) analyzed the results of 19 randomized controlled trials that tested various treatments for outer ear infections.

Antiseptic Eardrops References

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