Ear drops are a form of medicine used to treat or prevent ear infections, especially infections of the outer ear

Outer ear

The outer ear is the external portion of the ear, which consists of the pinna, concha, and external auditory meatus. It gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum . One consequence of the configuration of the external ear is to selectively boost the sound pressure 30- to 100-fold for...

 and ear canal

Ear canal

The ear canal , is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about 35 mm in length and 5 to 10 mm in diameter....

 (otitis externa

Otitis externa

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache". It also occurs in many other species. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the essence of this disorder...

).

Bacterial infections are sometimes treated with antibiotics. Examples are:

• Ciprodex
  Ciprodex
  Ciprodex Sterile Otic Suspension contains the synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, combined with the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, dexamethasone, in a sterile, preserved suspension for otic use...
  
   ear drops containing ciprofloxacin
  Ciprofloxacin
  Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class.It is a second-generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial. It kills bacteria by interfering with the enzymes that cause DNA to rewind after being copied, which stops synthesis of DNA and of...
  
   and dexamethasone
  Dexamethasone
  Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant...
  
  
• Gentisone HC ear drops containing gentamicin
  Gentamicin
  Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, used to treat many types of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative organisms. However, gentamicin is not used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis or Legionella pneumophila...
  
   and hydrocortisone
• Ciproxin HC ear drops containing ciprofloxacin
  Ciprofloxacin
  Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class.It is a second-generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial. It kills bacteria by interfering with the enzymes that cause DNA to rewind after being copied, which stops synthesis of DNA and of...
  
   and hydrocortisone
• Sofradex ear drops containing framycetin sulfate
  Framycetin
  Framycetin is an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside class similar to neomycin. Like neomycin, it has poor systemic absorption. It is used in topical preparations for infections of the skin, nose, ears, and eyes, often in combination with other antibacterial drugs and corticosteroids...
  
  , gramicidin
  Gramicidin
  Gramicidin is a heterogeneous mixture of six antibiotic compounds, gramicidins A, B and C, making up 80%, 6%,and 14% respectively, all of which are obtained from the soil bacterial species Bacillus brevis and called collectively gramicidin D. Gramicidin D are linear pentadecapeptides; that is...
  
  , dexamethasone sodium metasulfobenzoate
  Dexamethasone
  Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant...
  
  , phenylethyl alcohol
• Kenacomb ear drops, containing triamcinolone acetonide
  Triamcinolone acetonide
  Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid used to treat various skin conditions and to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores. It is a more potent type of triamcinolone, being about 8 times as effective as prednisone.-Medical use:...
  
  , neomycin
  Neomycin
  Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is found in many topical medications such as creams, ointments, and eyedrops. The discovery of Neomycin dates back to 1949. It was discovered in the lab of Selman Waksman, who was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and medicine in 1951...
  
   and gramicidin
  Gramicidin
  Gramicidin is a heterogeneous mixture of six antibiotic compounds, gramicidins A, B and C, making up 80%, 6%,and 14% respectively, all of which are obtained from the soil bacterial species Bacillus brevis and called collectively gramicidin D. Gramicidin D are linear pentadecapeptides; that is...
  
   (antibiotic
  Antibiotic
  An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
  
  s) and nystatin
  Nystatin
  Nystatin is a polyene antifungal medication to which many molds and yeast infections are sensitive, including Candida. Due to its toxicity profile, there are currently no injectable formulations of this drug on the US market...
  
   (antifungal
  Antifungal
  * Antifungal medication, a medication used to treat fungal infection s such as athlete's foot , ringworm, candidiasis, etc.* Antifungal protein, a protein family* an adjective referring to a fungicide compound...
  
  )

Over the counter ear drops are also available, including spirit drops (alcohol solution), which dries out the ear, and drops such as Aqua Ear (used for swimmer's ear) containing a mixture of substances such as alcohol

Alcohol

In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....

 and acetic acid

Acetic acid

Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CO2H . It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar , and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell...

, to dry the ear and make it difficult for microbes to grow.

External links

• Kenacomb Consumer Product Information