Patient education: How to use ear drops (The Basics)

What are ear drops? — Ear drops are liquid medicines that go directly into the ear canal (figure 1). The medicine then helps with ear problems.

What kinds of medicines can be given as ear drops? — Many medicines can be given as ear drops. Examples include medicines to:

●Treat some kinds of ear infections such as "otitis externa" or "swimmer's ear"

●Help remove ear wax

●Help with ear itching, pain, drainage, or fullness

How do I use ear drops? — Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medicine. In general, here are the steps to using ear drops:

●Check the medicine:

•Read the label to make sure that you have the correct medicine. Check that it is not expired.

•Know if you need to shake the medicine before use. If so, shake it each time before using.

•Know if you need the medicine in 1 ear or both.

•Know how long you should use the ear drops and how often to use them.

●Warm the ear drops by holding the bottle in your hand for 1 to 2 minutes. This makes it more comfortable when you put the drops in.

●Wash your hands with warm, soapy water. You might also want to gently clean your outer ear with a warm, wet cloth. Dry your ear with a clean towel.

●Sit or lie down. The ear that needs the drops should be pointing up.

●Move the ear to straighten the ear canal:

•Infants and preschool children − Gently pull the ear down and toward the back of the head.

•Older children and adults − Gently pull the ear up and toward the back of the head.

●Put the tip of the dropper close to the ear opening. Do not touch the ear with the dropper tip.

●Put the correct number of drops in the ear.

●With your finger, gently press or massage the small skin flap a few times. This helps the drops go into the ear.

●Continue to lie or sit with the head to the side for 3 to 5 minutes.

●Your doctor might tell you to put a small cotton plug in the ear. This can help keep the drops from running out of the ear.

●When you are finished, rinse the tip of the dropper with hot water. Dry with a clean cloth or tissue.

●Close the cap on the bottle.

●Wash your hands with soap and water.

What are the risks of using ear drops? — Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will talk to you about possible risks and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Mild itching

●Pain, burning, or stinging in the ear

●Increased drainage from the ear

●Dizziness (especially if the ear drops are not warmed before they are put in)

What else should I know?

●Some of the ear drops might run out of the ear. If you are lying down, place a towel under your head. If you are sitting, place a towel on your shoulder.

●Know how to store the ear drops. Protect them from heat and sunlight.

●Don't share ear drops with other people. Sharing could spread germs or infection.

More on this topic

Patient education: Ear infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Ear infections in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Outer ear infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Ear wax impaction (The Basics)

Patient education: Ear infections (otitis media) in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: External otitis (including swimmer's ear) (Beyond the Basics)