Why are the proprietary preparations for ear wax removal denoted less suitable for prescribing?
In most cases simple remedies such as olive oil, almond oil or sodium bicarbonate ear drops are just as effective for the removal of ear wax as proprietary preparations and the simple remedies are less likely to cause irritation. Some proprietary preparations contain organic solvents, which can irritate the meatal skin. The BNF therefore considers proprietary preparations less suitable for prescribing. The use of proprietary preparations may however be justified in some circumstances.
