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Natriumbikarbonat örondroppar

Sodium bicarbonate ear drops are used to soften dry or hardened earwax.

Use three or four drops twice daily for 3-5 days. Each time you use the drops, allow the solution to remain in your ear for 5-10 minutes.

If your symptoms have not improved after five days, make an appointment to see your doctor for further advice.

Överblick

  • Sodium bicarbonate ear drops soften dry and hard earwax.

  • They are available to buy from pharmacies.

  • Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before use if you have a burst eardrum or have had ear surgery.

  • Use the drops twice a day for 3-5 days.

  • If symptoms do not improve, see your doctor.

About sodium bicarbonate ear drops

Typ av medicin

Earwax softener

Används för

Removal of earwax

Tillgänglig som

Ear drops

Earwax is naturally produced by your body to protect the skin inside your ear canal. The quantity produced varies between individuals, and sometimes it can build up and become hard and dry, causing hearing problems. Sodium bicarbonate ear drops are used to soften dry and hardened earwax. This reduces the need for wax to be physically removed, but also makes ear irrigation and micro-suction easier when removal is necessary.

You can buy sodium bicarbonate ear drops from pharmacies.

Before using sodium bicarbonate ear drops

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using the drops it is important that you speak with a doctor or pharmacist:

  • If you have a burst (perforated) eardrum, or if you have recently had any ear surgery.

  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other ear drops.

  • If you are using any other ear products. This includes any preparations which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to use the ear drops

Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about using the drops.

  1. Wash your hands before you begin.

  2. Warm the drops to room temperature before using them. (Let the bottle stand in the room for about half an hour.)

  3. Lie down, or tilt your head a little, so that the affected ear is facing upwards.

  4. Gently pull your earlobe to straighten the ear canal.

  5. Release 3-4 drops into your ear to fill the ear canal. Try not to touch the inside of your ear with the dropper as you do this. If the drops are for a child, only insert as many drops as are needed to fill the ear canal.

  6. Keep your ear facing upwards for 5-10 minutes to keep the solution in your ear.

  7. Repeat the process in your other ear if you have been asked to use the drops in both ears.

Få ut det mesta av din behandling

  • Use the drops twice a day for 3-5 days. This is usually sufficient to soften the wax, but if your symptoms do not improve, make an appointment to see your doctor for further advice.

  • Do not try to clean inside your ear with cotton buds. If you stick buds or other objects into your ear they can compact the wax and make matters worse. Just wipe the outside of your ear with a clean cloth or tissue if any wax comes out on its own. Flakes or crusts of earwax often fall out bit by bit. You may not notice the wax as it comes out of your ear.

Can sodium bicarbonate ear drops cause problems?

Sodium bicarbonate ear drops can sometimes cause dryness in your ear canal, but this is rarely troublesome. It is unlikely that you will experience any other side-effects but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if there is anything that concerns you.

How to store sodium bicarbonate ear drops

  • Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

  • Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.

  • If there is any preparation left in the container after you have finished your course of treatment, do not keep it to use later. Ear drops should not be used if the bottle has been open for longer than four weeks.

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Om du misstänker att någon har svalt något av denna medicin, gå till akutmottagningen på ditt lokala sjukhus. Ta med behållaren, även om den är tom.

Om du köper några läkemedel, kontrollera med en apotekare att de är säkra att använda tillsammans med dina andra läkemedel.

Om du ska genomgå en operation eller tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du använder.

Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.

Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.

Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin

Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

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Osäker på att blanda mediciner?

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Vanliga frågor

What should I do if the sodium bicarbonate ear drops don't seem to be working?

You should use the drops twice a day for 3-5 days. If your symptoms haven't improved after this period, it's important to make an appointment to see your doctor for further advice.

Are there any specific situations where I should be cautious about using sodium bicarbonate ear drops?

Yes, you should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before using these drops if you have a perforated eardrum, have recently had ear surgery, or if you've ever had an allergic reaction to other ear drops. Also, discuss it if you are currently using any other ear products, including over-the-counter or herbal remedies.

How should I dispose of any leftover sodium bicarbonate ear drops?

You should not keep any leftover drops after you've finished your course of treatment. Ear drops should also not be used if the bottle has been open for longer than four weeks. Take any out-of-date or unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy, and they will dispose of them for you.

What is the typical amount of time I should keep the drops in my ear once applied?

After applying the drops, you should keep your ear facing upwards for 5-10 minutes. This helps ensure the solution stays in your ear and can work effectively to soften the wax.

If I need to use the drops in both ears, should I apply them at the same time?

You should repeat the process for your other ear after you have finished applying the drops and keeping them in the first ear for the recommended time. Apply to one ear, keep it facing upwards, and then repeat for the other ear.

Vidare läsning och referenser

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.

Om recensenten

Författarbild

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.

Artikelhistorik

Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.

  • Next review due: 22 May 2027
  • 23 Nov 2022 | Senaste versionen

    Senast uppdaterad av

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Granskad av

    Sid Dajani
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