Medicines for otitis media: How to choose ear drops for ear pain?

There are many diseases that directly affect the hearing organs. However, otitis media is considered the most common. When this disease is detected, the otolaryngologist prescribes various drugs and medications, among which there will certainly be special drops. They are buried directly into the auricle and have a beneficial effect on the source of inflammation. Anti-otitis drops are a serious medicine that should not be taken lightly. If the drug is chosen incorrectly, as well as due to non-compliance with the dosage, the treatment may not only be ineffective, but even dangerous for the hearing organs.

First of all, you need to consult a doctor so that he can determine the degree of the inflammatory process. Depending on the affected area, there are three types of this disease:

• Outdoor . The disease can occur as a result of the formation of boils, injury, or neglect of personal hygiene rules.
• Average . The cause of otitis media in the middle ear may be an infection in the eustachian tube, acute respiratory viral infection, or low immunity.
• Internal . This disease is characterized by decreased hearing and dizziness. It is not separate, but acts as a complication of otitis media.

How to treat otitis in adults and children.

July 2, 2021
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Content

• Why does ear pain occur?
• Causes of otitis media
• How can you get infected with otitis media?
• Symptoms of otitis media
• What types of otitis are there?
• How to treat otitis
• The most popular ear drops for adults
• Sofradex
• Otinum
• Normax
• Otirelax
• Tsipromed
• The most popular ear drops for children
• Otipax
• Polydexa
• Garazon
• Otofa
• Anauran

As soon as our ear starts to hurt, we think about ear drops. And it’s good if they are in your home medicine cabinet. But you need to understand that all ear drops have different therapeutic properties. Some help cope with ear congestion, others relieve severe pain. Therefore, it is very important not to self-medicate, but to immediately visit an ENT doctor if discomfort occurs to determine the cause of ear pain.

Rating of ear drops

Drugs for the treatment of otitis media for children and adults must have a natural composition, be safe for use, and produce an immediate effect. Before forming a rating of quality drugs, many tests were carried out on each product. The rating was based on the results of comparative tests, expert opinions and consumer reviews. To understand which ear drops are better, the following additional characteristics were taken into account:

• Therapeutic properties;
• Compound;
• Dosage;
• Usage format;
• Efficiency;
• The presence of side effects;
• Price.

Using additional parameters, a final rating was generated showing which drugs can be used to treat otitis media in children and adults.

The best nasal drops

Why does ear pain occur?

There are different types of ear pain, so you need to learn to determine which conditions require urgent help and which ones you can handle on your own. You can treat your ear yourself, for example, if you have slight discomfort after a long walk or you took a swim in a pond (perhaps water got into your ear). If the symptoms do not go away or even worsen, do not delay visiting a doctor. The ear can also hurt when a lot of wax is released (or, conversely, not enough). But most often the ear hurts due to otitis, sinusitis, caries, sore throat or eczema. Ear pain can also be caused by injury.

Otitis

is a serious inflammation of the ear tissues, which causes acute pain and decreased hearing. Otitis often affects children under three years of age due to the anatomical features of the ear structure.

Symptoms of otitis media

The very first symptom of otitis media is tinnitus. The following symptoms then appear:

• pain of varying intensity;
• temperature increase;
• general weakness;
• hearing impairment;
• discharge from the ears.

IMPORTANT!
If you or your child have noise and congestion in the ears, urgently go to an otolaryngologist - he will determine the cause and prescribe adequate treatment.
Read also: Top 7 effective remedies for a runny nose The best nasal drops and sprays that quickly and effectively help cure a runny nose.

Complications of IT

• Periauricular cellulitis is manifested by hyperemia, edema, and local hyperthermia of the skin around the auricle. Pain is usually mild and systemic symptoms are usually absent, which helps distinguish cellulitis from malignant otitis externa.
• Malignant otitis externa (necrotizing) is a severe, potentially fatal complication of bacterial Otitis. It is most common in older patients with diabetes or people with weakened immune systems. In this case, the infection spreads to the base of the skull and surrounding soft tissue. There is severe otalgia and discharge from the ear. In the NSP - granulation, edema, erythema, necrosis (death) of the NSP.

What types of otitis are there?

There are several types of otitis:

1. Eustachite.
   Air exchange in the ear cavity is disrupted, and fluid accumulates there. Which becomes a breeding ground for pathogenic microbes.
2. Otitis media of exudative type.
   Fluid accumulates in the ear cavity, which causes unpleasant symptoms in the patient. Typically, such otitis develops against the background of ARVI, which weakens the immune system.
3. Acute purulent otitis media.
   The ear cavity fills with pus. The inner ear is affected, so serious consequences are possible.

Sofradex

These ear drops have a combined effect - they can be used for both ear and eye diseases. Sofradex drops contain two active substances: gramicidin and framycetin. These ear drops are a powerful drug; it specifically targets pathogenic bacteria that cause the disease. "Sofradex" is suitable for the treatment of otitis and ear diseases of an allergic nature. Drops for the ears and eyes reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Thanks to Sofradex treatment, it is possible to restore the natural microflora of the ear. Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.

Sofradex

Chinoin (Sanofi-Sintelabo), Hungary

Bacterial diseases of the anterior segment of the eye.
- blepharitis; - conjunctivitis; — keratitis (without damage to the epithelium); - iridocyclitis; - sclerites, episclerites; - infected eczema of the eyelid skin; - otitis externa. from 208

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Otinum

These ear drops are relatively inexpensive and have good anti-inflammatory effects. The active ingredient of Otinuma is choline salicylate. Doctors prescribe Otinum for otitis of the external and middle ear, including fungal infections. Ear drops perfectly relieve pain literally a few minutes after use. Contraindications include damage to the eardrum and childhood. And so the drug is well tolerated, extremely rarely causing allergic reactions. For otitis media, after about seven days of using Otinum ear drops, complete recovery occurs.

Otinum

Polfa, Poland

Acute otitis media, myringitis, otitis externa;
before washing the external auditory canal to soften hardened earwax before the procedure for its removal. from 177

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Treatment

Conservative treatment

For external or catarrhal otitis media, treatment in most cases will be conservative, but it often requires the following procedures:

• toilet of the external auditory canal with the external type of disease;
• catheterization of auditory tubes;
• blowing of the auditory tubes according to Politzer;
• pneumomassage of the eardrum.

All procedures are performed exclusively by a doctor.

Antibiotics in treatment

If the disease is in the initial stages of development, when there is slight dysfunction of the auditory tube, then antibiotics are not prescribed. In other cases, otitis requires the prescription of antibacterial drugs. And in the case of fungal otitis, antifungal drugs are prescribed, possibly in combination with antibiotics.

Surgery

If surgical treatment is necessary, paracentesis or eardrum shunting is performed, which is performed for exudative or purulent otitis media. More complex operations are performed for complications of acute otitis media, or for their chronic form. In most cases, the disease is treated conservatively, and surgical treatment is performed strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

Normax

"Normax" for otitis - drops of complex action against many microbes. The drug is intended exclusively for adults. "Normax" is indicated for infections not only of the ears, but also of the eyes. Thanks to the antibiotic in the composition, it effectively treats diseases such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, otitis media, eustachitis, and keratitis. Patients note that Normax ear drops are affordable, well tolerated, and quickly relieve the problem. But many people talk about allergic reactions to this drug (then it is better to choose a weaker remedy for otitis media). Normax relieves pain well and is popular among patients.

Normax

Ipca Laboratories, India

Treatment of acute and chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to the drug: - conjunctivitis (including gonococcal);
- keratitis; - keratoconjunctivitis; - corneal ulcer; - blepharitis; - blepharoconjunctivitis; - trachoma; - otitis externa; - acute and chronic otitis media; - internal otitis media; - infectious eustachitis. Prevention of eye infections after removal of a foreign body from the cornea or conjunctiva, after damage by chemical or physical means, before and after surgery. Prevention of infectious otitis before and after surgery, with ear injuries, removal of a foreign body from the external auditory canal, accompanied by damage to ear tissue from 125

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Treatment of otitis media

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear, a general term for any infectious processes in the organ of hearing. Depending on the affected part of the ear, there are

• outer,
• average
• internal otitis (labyrinthitis).

Otitis is common. Ten percent of the world's population will suffer from otitis externa during their lifetime. Every year, 709 million new cases of acute otitis media are registered worldwide. More than half of these episodes occur in children under 5 years of age, but adults also suffer from otitis media. Labyrinthitis, as a rule, is a complication of otitis media and occurs relatively rarely.

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the ear canal. It can be diffuse, or it can occur in the form of a boil. With diffuse external otitis, the skin of the entire ear canal is affected. A boil is a localized inflammation of the skin of the outer ear.

Otitis media

With otitis media, the inflammatory process occurs in the tympanic cavity. There are many forms and variants of the course of this disease. It can be catarrhal and purulent, perforated and non-perforated, acute and chronic.

With otitis media, complications can develop. The most common complications of otitis media include mastoiditis (inflammation of the behind-the-ear part of the temporal bone), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain), brain abscess (abscess), labyrinthitis.

Labyrinthitis

Internal otitis is almost never an independent disease. It is almost always a complication of inflammation of the middle ear. Unlike other types of otitis, its main symptom is not pain, but hearing loss and dizziness.

Causes of otitis media

• After contact with contaminated water - most often, otitis externa occurs after water containing the causative agent gets into the ear. That is why the second name of this disease is “swimmer’s ear.” Trauma to the skin of the external auditory canal - in addition to the presence of infection in the water, there must also be local conditions that predispose to the development of inflammation: microcracks in the skin, etc. Otherwise, our every contact with unboiled water would end in the development of inflammation in the ear.
• A complication of ARVI, sinusitis - in this case, the causative agent of otitis media penetrates into the tympanic cavity from a completely different direction, the so-called rhinotubal route, that is, through the auditory tube. Usually the infection enters the ear from the nose when a person is sick with ARVI, runny nose or sinusitis. With severe inflammation of the middle ear, the infection can spread to the inner ear.
• In case of infectious diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypothermia against the background of reduced immunity, the risk of developing inflammation in the middle ear increases. Blowing the nose through 2 nostrils (incorrectly), coughing and sneezing increase the pressure in the nasopharynx, which leads to infected mucus entering the middle ear cavity.
• Mechanical removal of earwax - it is a protective barrier against infections.
• High air temperature and high humidity.
• Foreign objects entering the ear.
• Use of hearing aids.
• Diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis on the face, eczema, psoriasis.
• The causes of the development of acute otitis media are also genetic disposition, immunodeficiency states, and HIV infection.

Symptoms of otitis media.

Pain is the main symptom of otitis media. The intensity of the pain can vary: from barely perceptible to unbearable - pulsating, shooting. It is very difficult, and most often impossible, to independently distinguish the pain caused by otitis externa from the pain caused by inflammation of the middle ear. The only clue may be the fact that with otitis externa, pain should be felt when touching the skin at the entrance to the ear canal. Hearing loss is a variable symptom. It may be present in both otitis externa and otitis media, and may be absent in both of these forms of ear inflammation.

Increased temperature - most often there is an increase in body temperature, however, this is also an optional sign.

Discharge from the ear with external otitis almost always occurs. After all, nothing prevents the inflammatory fluid from being released. With otitis media, if there is no perforation (hole) in the eardrum, there is no discharge from the ear. Suppuration from the ear canal begins after a communication appears between the middle ear and the ear canal. I would like to emphasize that perforation may not form even with purulent otitis media. Patients suffering from otitis media often ask, where will the pus go if it does not break out? It's very simple - it will come out through the auditory tube.

Ear noise and ear congestion are possible with any form of the disease. As inflammation of the inner ear develops, dizziness may occur.

Acute otitis media occurs in 3 stages:

• Acute catarrhal otitis - the patient experiences severe pain, intensifying at night, when coughing, sneezing, it can radiate to the temple, teeth, be stabbing, pulsating, boring, hearing and appetite decrease, weakness and high temperature up to 39C appear.
• Acute purulent otitis - there is an accumulation of pus in the middle ear cavity, followed by perforation and suppuration, which can occur on the 2-3rd day of illness. During this period, the temperature drops, the pain decreases, the doctor can perform a small puncture (paracentesis) if the eardrum has not ruptured on its own.
• Recovery stage - suppuration stops, the defect of the eardrum closes (fusion of the edges), hearing is restored within 2-3 weeks Treatment of external otitis

The main treatment for otitis externa in adults is ear drops.

If a person does not have an immunodeficiency (HIV infection, diabetes), antibiotic tablets are usually not needed. Ear drops can contain only an antibacterial drug or be combined - contain an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory substance. The course of treatment takes 5-7 days. In addition to ear drops, for the treatment of external otitis, the doctor may recommend an ointment with the active ingredient Mupirocin (Bactroban). It is important that the drug does not have a negative effect on the normal microflora of the skin, and there is evidence of the activity of mupirocin against fungi.

Treatment of otitis media and labyrinthitis in adults

Antibacterial therapy

The main treatment for otitis media is an antibiotic. However, treatment of otitis media with antibiotics in adults is another controversial issue in modern medicine. The fact is that with this disease the percentage of spontaneous recovery is very high - more than 90%. There was a period of time at the end of the 20th century when, in a wave of enthusiasm, antibiotics were prescribed to almost all patients with otitis media. However, it is now considered acceptable to do without antibiotics for the first two days after the onset of pain. If after two days there is no tendency to improve, then an antibacterial drug is prescribed. All types of otitis media may require oral pain medications. In this case, of course, the patient must be under medical supervision. The decision about the need for antibiotics is a very important one and should only be made by a doctor. On the one hand, the scales weigh the possible side effects of antibiotic therapy, on the other, the fact that every year 28 thousand people die from complications of otitis media in the world.

The main antibiotics that are used in the treatment of otitis media in adults: Amoxicillin - Ospamox, Flemoxin, Amosin, Ecobol, Flemoxin solutab Aamoxicillin with clavulanic acid - Augmentin, Flemoklav, Ecoclave Cefuroxime - Zinnat, Aksetin, Zinacef, Cefurus and other drugs. The course of antibiotic therapy should be 7-10 days.

Ear drops

Ear drops are also widely prescribed for inflammation of the middle ear. It is important to remember that there is a fundamental difference between drops that are prescribed before perforation of the eardrum and after it appears. Let me remind you that a sign of perforation is the appearance of suppuration. Before perforation occurs, drops with an analgesic effect are prescribed. After the perforation appears, the pain goes away and you can no longer drip pain-relieving drops, as they can harm the sensitive cells of the cochlea. If perforation occurs, there is access for drops inside the middle ear, so drops containing an antibiotic can be instilled. However, ototoxic antibiotics (gentamicin, framycetin, neomycin, polymyxin B), drugs containing phenazone, alcohols or choline salicylate should not be used. Antibiotic drops, the use of which is acceptable in the treatment of otitis in adults: “Tsipropharm”, “Normax”, “Otofa”, “Miramistin” and others.

Paracentesis or tympanotomy

In some situations, inflammation of the middle ear may require minor surgical intervention - paracentesis (or tympanotomy) of the eardrum. It is believed that the need for paracentesis arises if, despite antibiotic therapy for three days, the pain still continues to bother the person.

Paracentesis is performed under local anesthesia: a small incision is made in the eardrum with a special needle, through which pus begins to emerge. This incision heals well after the suppuration stops.

Treatment of labyrinthitis is a complex medical problem and is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of an ENT doctor and a neurologist. In addition to antibacterial therapy, agents are needed that improve microcirculation inside the cochlea and neuroprotective drugs (protecting nervous tissue from damage).

Prevention of otitis

Preventive measures for otitis externa include thoroughly drying the ear canal after bathing. You should also avoid traumatizing the ear canal - do not use keys and pins as ear instruments. For people who often suffer from inflammation of the outer ear, there are drops based on olive oil that provide skin protection when swimming in a pond, for example, Vaxol.

Prevention of otitis media consists of general strengthening measures - hardening, vitamin therapy, taking immunomodulators (drugs that improve immunity). It is also important to promptly treat nasal diseases, which are the main causative factor of middle ear inflammation.

Otirelax

The active ingredients of these combined action ear drops are phenazone and lidocaine. Otirelax relieves inflammation and relieves pain. ENT doctors prescribe these ear drops for bacterial and viral infections. The drug is easy to use thanks to a bottle with a dropper. "Otirelax" is prescribed for otitis media externa, as well as inflammation after ear injuries. As for pregnancy and breastfeeding, the decision to prescribe Otirelax is made by the attending physician.

Otirelax

Rompharm, Romania

For local symptomatic treatment and pain relief in adults and children (including newborns) for: otitis externa;
in complex therapy of otitis media with an intact eardrum; barotraumatic otitis. from 174

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Ear drops, which company is better to choose?

Ear drops should be universal, help with inflammatory or acute diseases, and instantly eliminate pain. Manufacturers of the best ear drops:

• Rusfik LLC is a company founded in 1926. It produces herbal preparations that help cope with otitis media. Since 2005, the brand has gained access to the largest market in Europe, supplying its products there.
• ICN Polfa Rzeszow AO is a Polish company that produces drugs to eliminate pain in the ears. The product is supplied throughout Europe and the CIS countries. Does not cause allergies, easily tolerated by adults and children.
• Promed Exports Pvt. Ltd. – founded in 1990 in Russia. During the first years of its operation, the company focused only on the Russian market; now it supplies goods to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the CIS countries.
• Biocodex is a pharmaceutical company that appeared more than 60 years ago in France. From that moment on, it produced mainly gastroenterological drugs, then began to supply drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
• Rompharm Company produces products for the treatment of otitis in adults and children, which consist of natural ingredients and are easily tolerated by the body. The product is released in a convenient bottle and in the required dosage.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd is an integrated pharmaceutical company whose activities are based on innovative medicines. The brand began its large-scale development in 2008, when it received awards in 2 SCRIP Award nominations.
• Zambon S.P.A. – has been producing products for the treatment of otitis media since 1995. The representative office is open in Russia, but actively cooperates with various companies and supplies drugs to European and Asian countries.
• Sofartex is a large company that produces medicines for the whole family. The products consist of natural ingredients, have an affordable price, and help quickly cope with inflammation and diseases.
• Sanofi India Limited is an Indian company that produces fast-acting medicinal substances. They are used to treat ear diseases in children and adults. Products are supplied to many CIS countries.

The best hearing aids

Tsipromed

"Tsipromed" is considered the best inexpensive antibiotic drops for otitis media. These are strong ear drops that destroy not only active bacteria, but also “dormant” ones. Tsipromed is prescribed exclusively to adults. These ear drops very rarely cause allergic reactions, so they are often prescribed for many ear and eye diseases. Many patients respond well to Tsipromed drops, because the product treats otitis media well and saves if water gets into the ear.

Tsipromed

Promed Exports, India

A synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial drug from the group of second-generation fluoroquinolones for the treatment of acute external otitis, otitis media caused by sensitive strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus.
from 91

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Risk factors

• Swimming or other exposure to water. Excess moisture leads to skin irritation and destruction of the skin-sulfur barrier.
• Injury. This includes excessive or aggressive ear cleaning. Not only leads to a decrease in sulfur, but can also lead to injury to the skin, allowing microorganisms to gain access to its deeper layers.
• Obstruction of the NSP. Earwax, foreign body, less often - devices that close the ear canal: hearing aids, in-ear headphones.
• Allergic contact dermatitis. Exposure to shampoo, cosmetics, allergic reaction to metal earrings.
• Dermatological diseases. Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis.
• Radiation therapy. It can lead to ischemia (local decrease in blood supply) of the NSP, alter the production of sulfur and its normal excretion.

Normally, NSP is populated by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Staphylococci are the most common bacteria (63%) found in the ear canal, most commonly Staphylococcus auricularis and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The most common pathogenic organisms causing inflammation of the outer ear are Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38%). Less commonly - Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (8%). Anaerobic bacteria are detected in 4-25% of cases. Fungal infections account for 2-10% of cases of ANO.

Otipax

These ear drops are one of the best that pediatricians and family doctors recommend for otitis media. The main active ingredients of Otipax are phenazone and lidocaine: they “work” well in tandem, relieving inflammation and pain relief. Otipax, due to its safety, can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, as well as to children from birth. Otipax perfectly treats all forms of otitis media and any viral ear infections. Noticeable relief occurs within 2 minutes after using these ear drops, which, by the way, are suitable not only for children, but also for adults.

Otipax

Biocode, France

Combined preparation for topical use in the form of ear drops.
It has an antiseptic (disinfecting), local anesthetic (local anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory effect. from 172

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Polydexa

These ear drops contain an antibiotic and the hormone dexamethasone, so Polidexa effectively removes inflammation and reduces swelling. In addition to antimicrobial, these ear drops also have an antifungal effect, although weakly expressed. "Polydex" is often prescribed in pediatrics (can be used from 2.5 years). Children's drops for otitis media perfectly relieve inflammation and eliminate its symptoms. "Polydex" is considered one of the best remedies for ear diseases and has virtually no age restrictions.

Polydexa

Laboratories Bouchard-Recordati, France

Polydexa is a drug with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects for topical use in ENT practice.
When combining these antibiotics, the spectrum of antibacterial action expands on most gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms that cause infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. from 188

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Garazon

The active ingredients of these ear drops for children are gentamicin and betamethasone. “Garazon” for otitis media acts locally and specifically “hits” the source of infection. These ear drops relieve swelling, improve capillary permeability, and are prescribed for seasonal allergies. "Garazon" for otitis media can be used in children from 8 years of age. By the way, the drug is also suitable for the treatment of eye diseases (even with the presence of pus). Relief occurs literally 20 minutes after using the drug. Many patients highly praise these ear drops because they are effective and at the same time quite affordable.

Garazon

Schering-Plough Labo NV, Belgium

Combined drug in the form of drops, used in ophthalmology and otolaryngology. The effect of the drug is due to the components included in its composition. Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic from the group of aminoglycosides that has a bactericidal effect. Betamethasone sodium phosphate - GCS, has a local anti-inflammatory effect, suppressing cellular and fibrinous exudation and normalizing increased capillary permeability, which is manifested by a decrease in local hyperemia, edema and effusion.
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Otofa

Otofa ear drops are inexpensive, but they have a strong effect. Doctors prescribe Otofu as an antibiotic for acute and chronic ear diseases. Otofa drops are allowed for children, but are contraindicated for pregnant women. These ear drops are a powerful antibiotic (the active ingredient is rifampicin). The only disadvantage of these drops is that they do not relieve pain. But, despite this, Otofa is considered a very high-quality and noteworthy drug for otitis media.

Otofa

Laboratories Bouchard-Recordati, France

Acute and chronic otitis: external otitis;
acute otitis media (including with perforation of the eardrum); chronic otitis media; conditions after surgical interventions on the middle ear. from 152

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How to drip Otipax

The medicine should be dripped into the external auditory canal of the ear.

For an adult, it will be enough to drop 4 drops into each ear 3 times a day.

The maximum duration of treatment is 10 days. Before starting treatment with Otipax, you need to ensure the integrity of the eardrums. Therefore, you must first be examined by a doctor and study the instructions in detail.

Before dropping the medicine, you need to hold the bottle in your hands for a while so that it warms up. This will prevent the discomfort that usually occurs when cold liquid enters the ear.

First you need to remove the cap from the bottle, then turn it over and point it into the ear canal. After this, you need to press on the center of the dropper and squeeze out the required number of drops (depending on age). After the manipulations, you need to tightly close the bottle and put it back in the packaging.