title: A nonprescription cerumenolytic.
abstract: Cerumen impaction and removal is a very common otologic problem. The perfect cerumenolytic agent has yet to be developed. After years of trying multiple different cerumenolytics without satisfaction, a stool softener, docusate sodium, has become our agent of choice. A commonly used stool softener, it is widely available without prescription. It is a highly effective cerumenolytic, but remains relatively unknown in this capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Caparosa
mesh_terms: D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002571:Cerumen / Q000187:drug effects*; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012996:Solutions; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid