Practice tip. Which cerumenolytic?
OBJECTIVE
To test the in vitro dispersion of ear wax by four commonly used cerumenolytics.


METHODS
Equal parts of the same piece of ear wax were covered with 10 mL of each preparation and observed for up to 30 days.


RESULTS
Sodium bicarbonate and Waxsol dispersed wax within 2 hours, Cerumol was much slower and olive oil had no effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The cheapest and most effective cerumenolytic is a solution of sodium bicarbonate.
Kamien
M
M
University of Western Australia.
D010367:Arachis; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002571:Cerumen / Q000187:drug effects*; D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002724:Chlorobutanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D009821:Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009821:Oils; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; C016297:arachis oil, chlorobutanol, paradichlorobenzene drug combination; D004143:Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D002724:Chlorobutanol; D001566:Benzocaine