With the development of the inflammatory process in the ear, it is almost always necessary to use antibacterial agents to eliminate the pathogen. Ear drops with an antibiotic are considered one of the most effective drugs, allowing you to fight the disease at home. It is worthwhile to understand what types of these drugs exist and how to make the right choice.
When are antibiotic ear drops needed?
Preparations containing antibacterial substances resist the development of inflammatory processes of infectious etiology. Therefore, they are most often used in the treatment of a disease such as otitis media of the middle and outer ear. The disease can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations, and in the absence of adequate therapy - serious complications.
It should be borne in mind that ear drops with an antibiotic in the composition can only cope with bacteria and are absolutely not effective for viruses and fungi. To determine the cause of inflammation, and choose the appropriate medicine can only an otolaryngologist. In some situations, treatment is possible without the use of bactericides, but only a specialist should make such a decision.
How to determine otitis media?
Otitis media is a common disease in both adults and children. Babies up to three years old suffer from the disease much more often, because the Eustachian tube is much shorter, which simplifies the penetration of infection from the nasopharynx. Depending on which department was affected, distinguish the external, middle and internal type of otitis media.
A characteristic symptom is the pain that the patient will experience when pressing on the auricle and the tragus (cartilage located at the entrance to the ear hole). In severe cases, pus from the ear begins to stand out, swelling appears, and hearing is reduced. Otitis media is characterized by shooting pain and the appearance of itching in the ear canal. Often the body temperature rises, a severe headache, weakness appears.
The most severe is labyrinthitis - internal otitis media. The following symptoms are characteristic of it:
- Partial or total hearing loss.
- Attacks of nausea and vomiting.
- Severe dizziness.
- Acute pain in the ear.
- High body temperature, fever.
If these symptoms occur, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist and do not carry out medical manipulations on your own, for example, instillation of boric alcohol into your ears.
Treatment of otitis media with antibiotic drops
If the child has otitis media of bacterial origin, ear drops with an antibiotic are the main treatment method. Parents who doubt the need for this type of medication should be aware that otherwise the baby will face serious complications, including hearing loss. Drops will help get rid of pathogenic microorganisms.
Regardless of the patient's age, ear drops containing an antibacterial component should be prescribed by the doctor after the examination. When choosing, the nature of the course of the disease and the features of the use of the drug are taken into account. For adult patients, additional antibiotic administration in tablet form is sometimes necessary. In combination, such therapy will give a positive result and eliminate the cause and symptoms of otitis media.
Types of drops
In the pharmaceutical market, ear drops are classified into groups:
- Monocomponent - the main active ingredient in such drugs is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug in combination with an anesthetic. Otinum belongs to such preparations.
- Antibacterial - contain antimicrobial components that allow you to effectively fight the bacterial pathogen of otitis media. Such ear drops as Otofa, Normax, Tsipromed are prescribed for severe pathology.
- Combined - such drops possess a strong therapeutic effect due to the content of glucocorticoid components in them. They can be prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment for bacterial otitis media. This group of funds includes drops "Anauran", "Polydex", "Sofradex".
For the treatment of otitis media, ear drops with an antibiotic are the most reliable means. The price of drugs in this category ranges from 200 to 350 rubles. Cost is one of the selection criteria, but do not forget that even the most expensive medicine can be absolutely ineffective if the appointment was not made by a specialist.
Drops "Anauran"
The composition of the combined product includes several antibacterial components at once - neomycin sulfate and polymyxin B. The drug is considered one of the most effective in its group. It is prescribed for the inflammatory process in the outer and middle ear (including purulent complication), as well as as a prophylaxis after surgery. Ear drops with the Anauran antibiotic also have an analgesic effect due to lidocaine, which is part of the composition.
The instruction of the drug suggests that drops are rarely prescribed for the treatment of otitis media in infants. Apply Anauran only in case of emergency and under the constant supervision of a doctor. According to expert reviews, a strong antibiotic is well tolerated by children older than 1 year and adult patients. The cost of drops is 280-300 rubles.
Otof ear drops with antibiotic
The remedy for the treatment of otitis media of local action "Otofa" (drops) contains the antimicrobial component of rifamycin. The French drug affects gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Minimal absorption of the drug allows it to be used for patients of any age category, pregnant and lactating women. Drops are often prescribed in the absence of sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics from the group of penicillins and cephalosporins.
Reviews about the drug from patients and doctors are extremely positive. The tool allows you to get rid of shooting pain with otitis media and restores hearing on the second day of use. Like any antibacterial medicine, Otof drops have some side effects in the form of itching, slight redness and flaking of the ear hole. The only contraindication to the use of the drug is individual intolerance to the components.
Otipaks ear drops
The development of otitis media in infancy is not uncommon. Therefore, each parent needs to know that the most suitable tool for the smallest is Otipax. This is a combination drug consisting of the anti-inflammatory component of phenazone and the anesthetic - lidocaine. With severe pain accompanying external and middle otitis media, these ear drops are prescribed. Otipax has nothing in common with the antibiotic, which allows using the medicine for newborn babies during lactation and pregnancy.
Drops, according to reviews, are well tolerated by patients, and only in rare cases cause an allergic reaction. A burning sensation and itching, which sometimes occur during initial use, disappear after a few minutes and do not serve as a reason for drug withdrawal. The price of Otipaks drops is 180-230 rubles.
Ear drops (with antibiotic): Sofradex and Tsipromed
Otitis media can lead to perforation of the eardrum, which makes it impossible to use some bactericidal drugs. Therapy in this case should be aimed not only at eliminating pathogenic microorganisms, but also contribute to the healing of the damaged membrane. Ear drops with the Tsipromed antibiotic represent a group of fluoroquinols and can be used for severe otitis media with perforation. The active ingredient is ciprofloxacin. It is forbidden to use it during pregnancy, lactation and children under 1 year old.
Sofradeks are effective antibiotic ear drops that are a combination of drugs. The composition of the drug contains two antimicrobial substances - framycetin and gramicidin. The glucocorticosteroid component dexamethasone provides an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves allergy symptoms. This strong antibacterial drug cannot be used for perforation of the eardrum. Active bactericidal substances have a negative effect on the auditory nerve and can lead to complete hearing loss.