Rob (Kentucky) on 07/21/2021
Can You Put Eye Drops in Your Ear For Ear Infection? For the most part, YES, but not vice-versa.
A friend of mine from Mexico “Javier” says, Yes! His father was the local herbal doctor in his village during his childhood. He learned from him. He says this method can be used in the eyes, ears and nose also.
For some patients, ear drops may burn when placed in the ear. Given eye drops uses a much "gentler" solution, such people find that eye drops don't burn in the ear nearly as much compared to ear drops.
Also, it may be cheaper for people if the EYE drop medication is prescribed rather than the EAR drop medication. Often, it is not unusual for a brand name ear drop medication to be available in generic eye drop form.
Prescription ear drops cost: Price variation in the most commonly prescribed ear drops in Southern California as of 2017. Data were collected from 108 pharmacies. The mean prices are noted for each of the individual drugs:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28120334/
Cortisporin (brand) 10 mL, $82.70;
Neomycin, polymyxin B sulfates, and hydrocortisone (Cortisporin-generic) 10 mL, $34.70;
Ofloxacin (generic) 10 mL, $99.95;
Sulfacetamide (generic) 15 mL, $40.18;
Ciprodex (brand) 7.5 mL, $194.44
Cipro HC (brand) 10 mL, $233.32
Vosol (brand) 15 mL, $120.75
Acetic acid (Vosol-generic) 10 mL, $116.55
VosolHC (brand) 10 mL, $204.14
Acetic acid/aluminum acetate (Domeboro-generic) 60 mL, $22.99
Tobradex (brand) 5 mL, $166.47
Oh, and don’t forget the ENT Doctor visit. ENT New Patient Office Visit ranges from $136 to $409.
NOW... EAR drop medications should NOT be used in the EYE because preservatives used in eye drop preparations are much gentler than those used in ear drops due to the eyeball being much more sensitive compared to the ear. As such, it may burn if ear drops are used in the eye... but not vice-versa.
For any EAR drop preparation, there is an equivalent EYE drop preparation which can be used safely in the ear.
• Floxin (Ear) equivalent to Ocuflox (Eye)
• Ciprodex (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid dexamethasone
• Cipro HC (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid hydrocortisone
• Cortisporin (neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone) is available in both eye and ear preparations. Maxitrol (eye) contains decadron instead of hydrocortisone.
• Tobradex (Eye) can be used in the ear and is imprecisely similar to Cortisporin (Eye/Ear).
• Dexamethasone 0.1%, Fluocinonide 0.05%, as well as Prednisolone 1% (Eye) can all be used in the ear and is imprecisely similar to Dermotic
• Vasocidin (Eye) which contains sulfacetamide and prednisolone has no ear equivalent
Javier says to use Zaditor Eye drops as Ear drops. Cost $13.00 for 5ml at Wal-mart.
Zaditor Drug class: Ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants. Since the middle and inner ear are filled with fluid (mucus) that is a breeding ground causing the infection. An antihistamine decongestant would be the perfect medicine for that condition.
Zaditor (for use in the eyes) is used to treat itching of the eyes caused by allergy to dust, pollen, animals, or other allergens. Zaditor may also be used for purposes not listed in it’s medication guide. Meaning “as ear drops” if nothing else is available.
(Zaditor) Contains active ingredient Ketotifen is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Example: If your nose was affected -- say by pollen -- histamines causes thin walled membranes, to make more mucus. You can get a runny or stuffy nose. And you'll sneeze. The mucus can also bother your throat and make you cough. A histamine intolerance looks like a lot like seasonal allergies — if you eat histamine-rich food or drinks, you may experience hives, itchy or flushed skin, red eyes, facial swelling, runny nose and congestion, headaches, or asthma attacks. The release of histamines can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavities and ears. This inflammation can result in a blockage in the ears that prevents fluid or mucus from draining away, setting the stage for infection and leading to ear pain from the pressure building up inside the ears. This is known as fluid behind the eardrum, ear congestion, blocked eustachian tube, which will lead to “fullness feeling” in the ear, ear infection, earaches, see where I’m going with this…?
(Zaditor) Inactive Ingredients:
Benzalkonium chloride - is a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant with actions and uses similar to those of other cationic surfactants. It is also used as an antimicrobial preservative for pharmaceutical products.
Glycero - is a naturally occurring chemical. This medication is used to relieve pain, congestion, and swelling caused by middle ear inflammation (acute otitis media). This medication is also used to help remove earwax.
Hydrochloric acid - medication is used to treat outer ear infections (e.g., swimmer's ear).
Water -
Sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda or lye) – used here is a disinfectant.
How many Zaditor eye drops to use in the ears:
Child over 3 years old = 1 drop in ear canal. Pump the Tragal Cartilage. Plug ear with cotton ball. Repeat 3x/daily til issue resolved.
Adult = 2-3 drops in ear canal. Pump the Tragal Cartilage. Plug ear with cotton ball. Repeat 3x/daily til issue resolved.
Video – How to Pump the Tragal Cartilage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm66HB8Be-Y
Does it hurt when you put Zaditor eye drops in your ear? NO! I have done this myself. Feels like putting water drops in the ear.
Replied by Dana from USA on 05/20/2022
Rob,My sincere thanks to you for posting this remedy and also sincere thanks to your friend Javier. The Zaditor works! Cleared my ear infection together with 3x a day Probiotic 34 strains CFU 100 billion 1 capsule, 3 Oregano oil capsules and 3 Olive Leaf capsules. Had already spent over $600 for doctor visit and antibiotics for this and was still stuck with ear infection! Does your friend Javier have more remedies he can offer for other ailments?
Replied by Christina from Sydney, Australia on 10/15/2022
In Australia, it's called Zaditen and it costs $20.00 you can purchase it at a discount Chemist. I have had problems with my ears since 2020 went to ENT's told me I need to get a gromit in my left ear here we are today 2022 Hospital calls me finally it was my turn after 2 years ha for my gromit to be fitted in my left ear scheduled for 31st October firstly I don't have a blocked eustachian tubes in my left ear any more Glory be to God, it just popped one day after I came out of the sauna .... I use a cpap machine and I have had sinus problems and my ears keep blocking In the last two years I have tried ACV Hydrogen peroxide and every mixture and concoction you can find on earth clinic.3 weeks ago my right ear blocked after I had a cold but I thank God for Rob and Zavier I started using Zaditen 2 drops 3 times a day and today I can hear the clicks clearly as I type on my phone and I know its getting better and better I also use collloidal silver as a nasal spray I purchased this from the health food store by ALLAN SUTTON. To all my fellow Aussies on here, and I am soo elated that this remedy works it doesn't happen over night but it sure takes the pressure off and I am hoping as I use these eyedrops in my ears and eyes cause we are in spring season in my neck of the woods that this ear shall pop as well no antibiotics no ENT's no gromits just great advice on earth clinic so appreciative. Thank you.
Replied by Art from California on 10/18/2022
A comparable product to Zaditen here in the US that has the same active ingredient, ketotifen 0.025%, would be Zaditor. Here is a link to a product :Art
Replied by Mahmood from Nj on 05/07/2023
Many, many thanks to Rob (from Kentucky). After losing hearing on my left year, I used the generic brand of Zaditor Eye Drops by CVS, after reading Rob's post. My hearing is back to my surprise. I had poked with q-tips to loose my hearing. Can't thank enough to Rob!Replied by backley from London on 07/28/2023
Middle ear fluid elimination naturallyI read a wonderful post and reviews here by Rob on Zadiator Eye drops for middle ear fluid . I've just got home from a 2nd visit for my dear Mum to The ENT DR she has currently lost 50% in her right ear and they are wanting to put her under to get a biopsy!! Which seems utterly ridiculous as she has no other symptoms other than a pulse in the ear . Now I've managed to get her BP lowered the pulse has improved. They also want to put grommets in to remove the fluid or give her a hearing aid but I feel we can sort this naturally. Being in the UK I can't find this brand of eye drops.? Does anyone please know an equivalent with similar ingredients sold in the uk or how best I can get it shipped? I was going to do an onion poultice and then came across this information which seems definitely worth doing. Very happy to find this website and welcome any help. Thank you
Replied by Caroline from Oak island on 07/28/2023
Hi Dana, I was wondering which probiotic you used? Thanks so much.Replied by Rob from Kentucky on 07/28/2023
@ Backley: Look for Zaditen 0.25 mg/ml, eye drops, solution in the UK. It's Composition is as follows: Ketotifen Benzalkonium chloride Glycerol (E422) Sodium hydroxide (E524) Water for injections Same ingredients as Zadiator here in the USA. Source: https://www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/products/zaditen Hope it helps....Replied by Carrie from United States on 08/06/2023
It works!!! Thank you to the original poster!!! I get clogged ears once in a while and it usually plagues me for about a week or even longer—but today is day 3 of using CVS store brand Zaditor and my ear is unclogged!!!May Father bless you all for your help!
Replied by Rosemary from Virginia on 11/15/2023
10 years ago, one side of my mouth swelled shut after the flu. Excruciating pain. I went to the ER, and the antibiotics they gave me made me ever so sick. My mouth didn't get better from it. Thought it must be impacted wisdom teeth.It eventually went down. Had some issues through the years but never as bad. I found earthclinic back then and was from then on afraid of doctors.
Well, I recently was having the mouth pain, and it wouldn't go away for a month. I got the flu and it became unbearable. I thought maybe I had a salivary stone? Because my tongue and lymph and throat and ear all hurt.
I went to a doctor. It was a ruptured ear drum!
They prescribed prednisone and allergy meds. I was so desperate I took them. It didn't get better.
I came here, found Zaditor, put it in my ear and HALLELUJAH.
I can feel it leaking into the back of my throat and it's the only thing that can reach the pain there!
Thank you Earthclinic!
Replied by Aveybaby from Canada on 05/18/2024
Dear Rob,I know this is an old thread, but I'm looking to cure my ear problem, which feels like 'glue ear' or as I call it 'Velcro ear' because as I open it manually I hear the velcro noise! Haven't been to a GP for years and now don't trust any of them to cure me. I've tried many things, first I thought it was wax, now I think it's either ETD or trapped fluid in inner ear from all the stuff I've put in there over the last year or so. Driving me insane, seems to get better with drainage exercises then worse after I sleep on it! I have tinnitus too. So I looked all over the internet, and as I'm in Canada I'm thinking this Ketotifen is prescription only? I have searched the names of eye drops that contain Ketotifen and they're all in the USA. Cannot find in any Canadian drugstore the ones listed. It's like living in an outdoor prison these days, this country has banned stuff that is beneficial, but promotes free illicit drugs that are NOT beneficial!? I tried Amazon but not available on the Canadian one either... so frustrating. Any suggestions? I hope you're still active on here. Thanks in advance. My full ear is driving me mad, if I pull it open I can hear, so I know it's not my hearing that's gone. :(
Replied by Rob from Kentucky on 05/19/2024
@ AveybabyI can’t believe that Zaditor Eye Drops are made in Canada but not sold in Canada. So I logged onto walmart.ca to see whats is available OTC and WOW! You guy really have nothing. Socialized medicine is back firing. I’m also hearing the same from friends in the Philippines. All there medicine is coming from China and it’s either much weakier or does not work anymore.
I have a friend from here in Kentucky that now lives in Canada. She tells me horror stories about your healthcare system.
Here are your choices:
If anyone you know is flying or visiting the USA, have them pick one up for you and bring it back.
Or the old fashion way:
The heating pad at night, Garlic oil ear drops, Tiger Balm ‘Ultra Strength’ around the outside of the ear, Inhaling steam through the sinuses...etc.….
Good luck...
Replied by Avis R. from Canada on 05/20/2024
Hi Rob,Thanks for the quick reply, I thought I'd get an email to tell me I had a reply but didn't? Anyway, yes we're in a sad state for OTC meds, I did check Walmart and a lot of others, and found zero. I came here in 1972 from UK, things were not so bad then, it's gone downhill steadily and Liberal gov doesn't do anything but spend our tax dollars on other countries... but I digress! Can't understand anyone moving here these days, as it's become foreign to me from the beautiful country it used to be. I can't believe this stuff is made in Canada!? Go figure! I have no faith in regular medicine, and yours in the USA isn't much better these days, but you have a lot more choice. The corruption from pharma being in bed with the GP's has made it so they will prevent Canadians from getting OTC meds because IMO they want to force us to go see the GP, ka-ching ka-ching for them if you get my drift? They're also trying to ban a lot of natural meds here too, I hope we can stop them! I hope there's no censoring on this site or you won't see that part? I believe I might have to try either Naturopathic doctor or Acupuncture next? I have tried Oil of Oregano rubbed around the ear, temporary relief. I did put olive oil mixed with Tea Tree oil drops in ear but it made it more gummy! So not going that route. So bit afraid of garlic oil or any kind of oil in the ear, but I might try the Tiger Balm Ultra strength.. can you get it from health food stores or Amazon? mind you our Amazon and yours are not the same, but I'll look online for it. Heating pad helped when I had some ear ache a few months ago, but I don't have pain now. I heard dairy can make it worse have you heard that? Other things I've tried are: Hydrogen Peroxide which used to help but now I think has left fluid in there once fizz has gone. Lugol's rubbed around ear, and once or twice tried it on a Q tip just gently into ear but no result. I've tried ACV which I swear by for lots of things, put on a Q tip gently into ear but nothing. I have inhaled steam with Oil of Oregano and Tea Tree and it does clear sinuses, but doesn't do anything for my blocked ear. The only other thing I can do is see my eye doctor and see if she can prescribe eye drops for me but not sure whether to tell her the truth as to real purpose, or fake itchy eyes. I hope I can get it by prescription this way? I was married to an American and did a lot of travel between the 2 borders, but we're divorced now and I have no desire to travel, and am pretty alone these days so no friends going there. So that's the story. I'm worried that if left it will eventually lead to hearing loss, but not sure. There was another thing I saw that blows air with some force up your nostril and is supposed to open the eustachian tube, but that too is only available in Canada through prescription!! You see they want to force us to see a specialist which takes months, and I wouldn't trust them anyway. Medicine has become like a bunch of drug dealers, they are paid to keep us sick. I'm doctoring myself these days. Thank you for any other help from you or others who may see this post. ♥
Replied by Candace from New Orleans on 04/05/2025
Going to give it a whirl. I been doing things to help it drain out but nothing has come of them. I got a bronchial infection months ago but the ears are still filled with fluid. And the antibiotics that were prescribed gave me a C diff infection. Go figure. Thanks for Zaditor advice it's definitely worth a try.Replied by Jen H from Melbourne, Australia on 04/28/2025
I had a blocked and constantly popping tube, sounded like water in my ear. Tried nose sprays, cold & flu tabs, Neti pot, drinking ACV, massage, acupressure points, peroxide in ears. Happy to report the eye drops worked for me after 1 day. I was still using the Neti pot with salt, and did a ACV steam with the towel over my head, but the eye drops I think were the final blow. I’m sure they’ll block again at some point so have also ordered colloidal silver nose spray and will keep the Zatiden (I’m in Aus) handy.Replied by Rob from Kentucky on 04/29/2025
ZADITOR EYE DROPS GENERIC EQUIVALENT: UPDATE 2025I found GENERIC VERSIONS for Zaditor Eye drops sold in the USA at the following:
AnchorEquate Eye Itch Relief, Antihistamine eye drops, 0.34 fl oz sold at Wal-mart. Price $9.18 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%.
Walgreens Eye Itch Relief Drops, 0.17 oz sold at Walgreens. Price $12.00 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%.
CVS Health Eye Itch Relief Antihistamine Eye Drops, 0.17 oz sold at CVS. Price $14.00 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%
