Chlorobutanol, Potassium Carbonate, and Irrigation in Cerumen Removal

Summary

Accumulation of cerumen in the external ear canal is a common problem. The presence of cerumen not only interferes with the clinician's view of the tympanic membrane, but may also result in hearing loss and vertigo, and may predispose to ear infections. Removal of cerumen is facilitated by the use of a variety of ceruminolytics, or wax solvents. The current study was designed to evaluate the ceruminolytic effects of a single, brief application of the two most frequently used products in the investigators area, containing chlorobutanol or potassium carbonate with or without irrigation in the primary care setting in a randomized, single-blind trial. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized study comparing ceruminolytics with chlorobutanol versus potassium carbonate.

Timeline

Start

2008-09

Primary completion

2008-10

Completion

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Publications

• Background Roland PS, Eaton DA, Gross RD, Wall GM, Conroy PJ, Garadi R, Lafontaine L, Potts S, Hogg G. Randomized, placebo-controlled evaluation of Cerumenex and Murine earwax removal products. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004 Oct;130(10):1175-7. doi: 10.1001/archotol.130.10.1175.

Drugs

Indications