12.1 Drugs acting on the ear
12.1.1 Otitis externa
Anti-inflammatory preparations with antibacterial
| GREEN Locorten-Vioform® eardrops
| GREEN Betnesol® N ear drops
| GREEN Otomize® ear spray
| | | Chronic/acute otitis media and otitis externa (necrotising)
| RED Ciprofloxacin 0.3%, dexamethasone 0.1% ear drops (Cilodex®)
| | - ENT use only - not to be prescribed in Primary Care | RED Ciprofloxacin/fluocinolone 3mg/ml+ 0.25mg/ml ear drops (Cetraxal Plus®)
| | - ENT use only - not to be prescribed in Primary Care | RED Triamcinolone, Neomycin sulfate, gramicidin, nystatin (Otocomb® ointment)
| | - ENT use only - off license use, not to be prescribed in Primary Care |
| |
| NOTE: Ciprofloxacin eye drops 0.3% should not be prescribed in primary care for the ear |
| |
| Acute otitis media | | GREEN Phenazone 40mg/lidocaine hydrochloride 10mg [Otigo® ear drops, solution] | | | The BNF considers the following product to be less suitable for prescribing.
| GREEN Sofradex®ear/eye drops
| | | | Anti-infective preparations | Use of gentamicin is contraindicated in those with perforated ear-drum.
| See BNF section for further advice.
| | | GREEN Gentamicin ear/eye drops 0.3%
RED Clotrimazole 1% drops (specialist use only)
|
| |
12.1.3 Removal of ear wax
| |
| Wax can be softened with simple remedies prior to syringing. |
GREEN Olive Oil
|
GREEN Sodium Bicarbonate 5% ear drops
|
