How To Instill Ear Drops

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Ear drops may contain medicine used to treat ear infections, ear pain, and other conditions. Ear drops must be used correctly so enough of the medicine will get into your ear or ears to work correctly. If eardrops are used wrong, not enough medicine will get into your ear , or the medicine may drain out of your ear before it can work. Ear drops may contain medicine that you might be allergic (uh-LER-jik) to. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicines before using them.

How do I use my ear drops? There are many kinds of ear drops. Follow your caregiver’s advice on how much and how often to use your ear drops. Read the instructions carefully before using your ear drops. Store your ear drops at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not use ear drops in your eye. Keep the medicine away from where children can reach. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. It is easier to give ear drops to someone else than to yourself. If you need ear drops, ask someone to give them to you. Do not use the drops if they:

• Change color from what they were when you first got them.
  
  
• Look cloudy when they first looked clear.
  
  
• Have small bits floating in them.

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Rinse and dry your hands.
  
  
• Your ear drops may be cloudy. If so, gently shake the bottle before using them.
  
  
• Warm the drops by holding the bottle in your hands for a few minutes. This will prevent dizziness from cold drops.
  
  
• If a dropper is supplied, hold the dropper tip down all of the time. This stops the drops from flowing back into the bulb where there may be germs that can get into the medicine.
  
  
• The ear drops should be kept clean. Avoid touching the dropper against the ear or anything else.
  
  
• If you are giving ear drops to yourself, lie down or tilt your head to one side. If you are giving ear drops to someone else, have them lie down or tilt their head to one side.
  
  
• In adults, the earlobe should be held up and back. For children, hold the earlobe down and back.
  
  
• Place the correct number of drops into the ear. If you are giving ear drops to someone else, hold the ear with one hand and give the drops with the other hand. Do not squeeze the bulb of the dropper too hard.
  
  
• Replace the cap or dropper in the medicine bottle right away. Do not rinse or wipe it off.
  
  
• Press on your ear flap and keep your head tilted up for several minutes to give the medicine time to coat your ear. If you are giving ear drops to someone else, make sure they do this. Your caregiver may want you to insert a cotton plug into your ear.
  
  
• Wash your hands. Washing your hands will help to remove any medicine and stop spreading infection (in-FECK-shun) to other people.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Apply the missed dose as soon as possible.
  
  
• Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.
  
  
• Do not double the dose to catch up.

Call if: You have any of these problems after using your ear drops:

• Change in your hearing.
  
  
• Itching or rash.
  
  
• Stinging or burning of the ear.
  
  
• Dizziness.
  
  
• Ringing in your ears.
  
  
• No change or worsening of symptoms after a few days of treatment.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, or how to use your ear drops.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your ear condition and how to properly use ear drops. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to discuss what care will be used to treat you or your child. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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