HF 4698

Ear Drops

The name of your medicine is:

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Introduction

Some ear drops are used in the ear to treat infection. Others decrease the pain, swelling, and redness of the infection.


How to Use Ear Drops

Use this medicine in your ear how your provider or pharmacist said to. The bottle may not be full. This makes it easier to give the correct number of drops. After you open the bottle, keep the tip from touching anything including your ear. Check with your provider before using leftover ear drops for future ear problems.

Ear drops may feel cold. You may warm the drops by holding the bottle in your hand for 1 to 2 minutes before using. If the drops get too warm, they may not work as well. Do not microwave drops.


Steps

  1. Wash hands before and after using ear drops.

  2. Lie down or tilt your head sideways so that the ear that needs medicine faces up.

  3. Remove cap from bottle.

  4. Open the ear canal by gently pulling the earlobe up and back. If you are giving drops to a child, gently pull the earlobe down and back. Drop medicine into the ear canal.

    4698 Figure 1

  5. Keep the ear facing up for 5 minutes to allow drops to get into the bottom of the ear canal. You may put a clean, soft cotton ball into the ear opening to prevent the drops from leaking out.

  6. Wipe the tip of the dropper with a clean tissue and keep the bottle tightly closed.

  7. Store drops in a cool, dry place.

If you are using drops for an ear infection, use them for the number of days that your provider or pharmacist said. Even if the symptoms are better, using for the full number of days helps to make sure the infection is gone.

If you miss a dose of drops, give it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the normal time.


When to Call

  • If you have these side effects:

    • Ringing in your ears

    • Severe dizziness

    • Burning, redness, or skin rash

    • Swelling that was not present before starting ear drops

  • If symptoms are not fully improved after full treatment or if symptoms are getting worse after several days of treatment.