This site is intended for healthcare professionals
EMC Drug Feed
Drug information

Exterol

OTC
Read time: 2 mins
Last updated: 10 Jul 2015

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

EXTEROL™ 5% w/w EAR DROPS, SOLUTION


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Urea Hydrogen Peroxide 5.0% w/w.


3. Pharmaceutical form

Ear drops, solution.Clear, straw-coloured, viscous ear drops.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

As an aid in the removal of hardened ear wax.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

For adults, children and the elderly: Instil up to 5 drops into the ear. Retain drops in ear for several minutes by keeping the head tilted and then wipe away any surplus. Repeat once or twice daily for at least 3 to 4 days, or as required.


4.3. Contraindications

Do not use if the eardrum is known or suspected to be damaged, in cases of dizziness, or if there is any other ear disorder (such as pain, discharge, inflammation, infection or tinnitus). Do not use after ill-advised attempts to dislodge wax using fingernails, cotton buds or similar implements, as such mechanical efforts can cause the ear's delicate inner lining to become damaged, inflamed or infected, whereupon the use of ear drops can be painful. For similar reasons, it is inadvisable to use Exterol within 2 to 3 days of syringing. Do not use where there is a history of ear problems, unless under close medical supervision. Do not use if sensitive to any of the ingredients.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Keep Exterol away from the eyes. For external use only. Replace cap after use, and return bottle to carton.


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Exterol should not be used at the same time as anything else in the ear.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No known side-effects.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Due to the release of oxygen, patients may experience a mild, temporary effervescence in the ear. Stop usage if irritation or pain occurs. Instillation of ear drops can aggravate the painful symptoms of excessive ear wax, including some loss of hearing, dizziness and tinnitus. Very rarely, unpleasant taste has been reported. If patients encounter any of these problems, or if their symptoms persist or worsen, they should discontinue treatment and consult a doctor.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.


4.9. Overdose

No adverse effects.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

After insertion of the drops into the ear, the urea hydrogen peroxide complex liberates oxygen which acts to break up the hardened wax. The hydrogen peroxide component is also an antiseptic, especially in sites with relative anaerobiosis. The glycerol assists in softening the wax, so that it may more easily be removed from the ear, either with or without syringing. The urea acts as a mild keratolytic, helping to reduce the keratin-load in the wax debris, thereby assisting penetration of the other components.


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

Exterol is intended only for the treatment of impacted wax in the external auditory canal. The ingredients of the formulation are therefore readily available for intimate contact with the affected area, as the drops are instilled into the ear and retained therein for several minutes by tilting the head.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

No special information.


6.1. List of excipients

8-Hydroxyquinoline; Glycerol.


6.2. Incompatibilities

None known.


6.3. Shelf life

24 months. Discard 4 weeks after first opening.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Store upright. Do not store above 25°C. Replace cap after use.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

8 ml easy squeeze plastic dropper bottle with screw cap. This is supplied as an original pack (OP).


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Not applicable.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Dermal LaboratoriesTatmore Place, GosmoreHitchin, Herts SG4 7QR, UK.


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

00173/0037.


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

28 January 2007.


10. Date of revision of the text

June 2015.

4.1 Therapeutic indications

As an aid in the removal of hardened ear wax.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

For adults, children and the elderly: Instil up to 5 drops into the ear. Retain drops in ear for several minutes by keeping the head tilted and then wipe away any surplus. Repeat once or twice daily for at least 3 to 4 days, or as required.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use if the eardrum is known or suspected to be damaged, in cases of dizziness, or if there is any other ear disorder (such as pain, discharge, inflammation, infection or tinnitus). Do not use after ill-advised attempts to dislodge wax using fingernails, cotton buds or similar implements, as such mechanical efforts can cause the ear's delicate inner lining to become damaged, inflamed or infected, whereupon the use of ear drops can be painful. For similar reasons, it is inadvisable to use Exterol within 2 to 3 days of syringing. Do not use where there is a history of ear problems, unless under close medical supervision. Do not use if sensitive to any of the ingredients.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Keep Exterol away from the eyes. For external use only. Replace cap after use, and return bottle to carton.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Exterol should not be used at the same time as anything else in the ear.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No known side-effects.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Due to the release of oxygen, patients may experience a mild, temporary effervescence in the ear. Stop usage if irritation or pain occurs. Instillation of ear drops can aggravate the painful symptoms of excessive ear wax, including some loss of hearing, dizziness and tinnitus. Very rarely, unpleasant taste has been reported. If patients encounter any of these problems, or if their symptoms persist or worsen, they should discontinue treatment and consult a doctor.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Learning Zones

The Learning Zones are an educational resource for healthcare professionals that provide medical information on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and burden of disease, as well as diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens.

 

 

Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).