Otex Sodium
Bicarbonate Ear Drops

• Overview and contents

  • Clinically recommended to effectively break down hardened ear wax and help remove it from the ear.
  • Comes in a 10 ml bottle with a dropper for easy application.
  • Available online, off the shelf in pharmacies and in the healthcare aisle at supermarkets.
  • Has a clear solution.
  • The therapeutic ingredient is sodium bicarbonate.

• How to store

  • Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use the ear drops after the use by date shown on the bottle label and the carton. The use by date refers to the last day of that month.
  • Once opened, do not keep the bottle for longer than 4 weeks.
  • Store below 25°C. Store in a cool place and keep out of sunlight.
  • Always replace the bottle cap tightly after use.
  • Store the bottle upright in the outer carton to avoid spillage.
  • Medical products such as this should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of products no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

• Precautions and warnings before use

  Do not use Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops:

  • If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium bicarbonate, glycerol or dichlorobenzyl alcohol.
  • If you have a history of ear problems, unless used under the close supervision of your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • If you are also putting anything else in the ear (such as other ear drops or a hearing aid).
  • If you have had your ear syringed in the last 2 to 3 days.
  • If your ear drum is (or has been) damaged.
  • If you suffer from dizziness.
  • If there is anything else wrong with your ear - such as pain, swelling, discharge, infection or tinnitus (ringing sounds in the ear).
  • If you have tried to remove the ear wax using fingernails, cotton buds or other implements. (This is because you might have damaged the delicate inner lining of the ear, leading to swelling or infection.) This could make it painful to use the ear drops.
  • If the dropper is broken or damaged.

  Special Care:

  Consult a doctor if unsure and avoid getting the drops in your eyes.

  Potential Side Effects:

  Like all ear drops, Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

  • The ear drops can make the symptoms of excessive ear wax worse, including some discomfort, irritation or pain, loss of hearing, dizziness and tinnitus (ringing sound in the ear).
  • Very rarely, an unpleasant taste has been reported. Stop using the ear drops immediately if this happens and tell your doctor.
  • Stop using this product and tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
    • symptoms persist or,
    • if any of the side effects get serious or you notice any other side effects not mentioned in the Instructions for Use leaflet.

Usage Instructions

• How should you use Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops?

  Simply tilt head and gently squeeze 3 to 4 drops into the ear without touching the ear with the end of the dropper. Leave for a few minutes and then wipe surplus with tissue. Repeat once or twice daily, if necessary, up to 5 days while symptoms clear.

  Do not use Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops if: Please refer to section 2 of the Instructions for Use Leaflet.

• How long should you use Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops for?

  Twice daily for up to 5 days.

• How does Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops remove ear wax?

  Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops are a gentle and effective way to soften ear wax. The ear drops act physically to gently soften ear wax. Normally this is enough to encourage the ear wax to dislodge from the ear canal and fall out naturally (e.g. at night when you are laying down). If the drops alone are insufficient, their softening action makes it easier for a doctor or nurse to remove the ear wax using techniques such as ear syringing (irrigation).

Safety and Precautions

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used during pregnancy/breast-feeding?

  There are no specific restrictions to using the ear drops during pregnancy or breast-feeding. The ingredients have been in widespread use in this way for many years without reports of problems. However, safety trials have not been conducted.

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used if you suffer with tinnitus?

  If you are suffering from any other ear problem, you should not use Otex unless under supervision from your doctor.

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used on children?

  Young children tend not to suffer with impacted ear wax, so it's a good idea to seek expert medical advice from a doctor.

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used with a hearing aid?

  If you are using a hearing aid then you should not use Otex. It is advisable to seek expert medical advice if you have a history of any other ear problems.

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used with grommets?

  No, Otex is only for use in the treatment of impacted ear wax in the ear canal where the eardrum is intact. Grommets pass through the eardrum and may allow something put in the external ear canal to enter the middle ear.

• Can Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops be used before syringing / microsuction?

  The drops are intended to soften and clear the ear wax. If the drops alone are insufficient, their softening action makes it easier for a doctor or nurse to remove the ear wax using techniques such as ear syringing (irrigation). It should not be necessary to use any ear wax remover drops soon after syringing / microsuction because it generally takes a few months for new wax to build up. If the problem recurs much sooner than this, you should seek medical advice because this should not normally happen.

Product Contents

• What does Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops contain?

  Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops contains sodium bicarbonate, glycerol, dichlorobenzyl alcohol and purified water.

Animal Welfare and Ingredients

• Has Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops been tested on animals?

  No. Otex has, however, been tested on human patients suffering from ear wax problems, in clinical trials.

• Does Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops contain any animal derivative?

  No, none of the ingredients of Otex are of animal origin.

• Does Otex Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops contain any nut derivative?

  No, none of the ingredients of Otex contain any nut derivative.