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Ear Wax Softening / Cerumenolytic

Urea Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Drops

Brand names: Exterol, Otex, Earex Plus

Urea hydrogen peroxide ear drops are a topical cerumenolytic instilled into the external auditory canal to soften and help disperse impacted ear wax.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

On contact with cerumen the preparation releases oxygen and effervesces, mechanically breaking up and loosening the wax to aid its softening and removal.

Prescribing in practice

  • Do not use when the eardrum is known or suspected to be perforated, or in the presence of acute ear infection or discharge.
  • It is for external-ear (auricular) use only and is intended for short courses to soften wax, sometimes ahead of irrigation.
  • Transient effervescence, a bubbling sensation, mild irritation or temporary dulling of hearing can occur after instillation.

Monitoring

No systemic monitoring is required; review whether the wax has cleared and check for any local irritation or pain.

Counselling the patient

  • You may feel fizzing or bubbling in the ear, which is expected.
  • Lie with the treated ear uppermost for a short time after putting the drops in.
  • Stop and seek advice if you get ear pain, discharge or it does not improve.

Evidence & guidelines

Cerumenolytic ear drops are a standard first-line measure for softening impacted wax, often before irrigation if needed.

Reference: NICE CKS Ear Wax (2022); BSHAA Earwax Consensus Statement 2018; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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