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Otitis externa - Management
What topical ear preparations are available for treatment of otitis externa?
Table 1. Topical ear preparations available in the UK for treating otitis externa.
Group | Products |
|---|
Astringent/acidic preparations |
Astringent and acidic Acidic | Aluminium acetate 13% drops* Acetic acid 2% spray (Earcalm®)† |
Corticosteroid preparations |
Corticosteroid: lower potency | Prednisolone sodium phosphate 0.5% drops (Predsol®) |
Corticosteroid: higher potency | Betamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% drops (Betnesol®, Vista-methasone®) |
Antibiotic preparations |
Antibiotic: aminoglycoside | Gentamicin 0.3% drops (Genticin®) |
Antibiotic: non-aminoglycoside | Chloramphenicol 5% drops‡ |
Antifungal preparations |
Antifungal | Clotrimazole 1% solution (Canesten®) |
Combined corticosteroid and antibiotic preparations |
Aminoglycoside with corticosteroid |
With neomycin | Betamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1%, neomycin sulphate 0.5% (drops: Betnesol-N®, Vista-Methasone N®) Hydrocortisone 1%, neomycin sulphate 3400 units, polymyxin B sulphate 10,000 units/mL (drops: Otosporin®) Prednisolone sodium phosphate 0.5%, neomycin sulphate 0.5% (drops: Predsol-N®) Dexamethasone 0.1%, neomycin sulphate 3250 units/mL, glacial acetic acid 2% (spray: Otomize®) Hydrocortisone acetate 1.5%, neomycin sulphate 0.5% (ointment: Neo-Cortef®) Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%, gramicidin 0.025%, neomycin 0.25% (as sulphate), nystatin 100,000 units/g (ointment: Tri-Adcortyl Otic®) |
With gentamicin | Hydrocortisone acetate 1%, gentamicin 0.3% (drops: Gentisone HC®) |
With framycetin | Dexamethasone 0.05%, framycetin sulphate 0.5%, gramicidin 0.005% (drops: Sofradex®) |
Combined corticosteroid and antibiotic/antifungal preparations |
Clioquinol with corticosteroid | Flumetasone pivalate 0.02%, clioquinol 1% (ear drops: Locorten–Vioform®) |
* Available from manufacturers of 'special order' products. † Available over the counter. ‡ Prescription not included as there is a 10% risk of skin sensitivity being induced. |
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