Dexamethasone, Neomycin & Acetic Acid Ear Spray 5ml (Generic Otomize)

This prescription-only ear spray contains dexamethasone (a steroid), neomycin (an antibiotic) and acetic acid. It treats inflammation and infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externa, sometimes called swimmer's ear). The Otomize brand has been discontinued in the UK; this is the generic version with the same three ingredients. At Ways Pharmacy it is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed your symptoms and confirmed that it is suitable for you.

How to access this medicine

1. Start your free online assessment. Complete a short questionnaire and confirm your identity by uploading photo ID or showing it on a video call.
2. Pharmacist reviews and speaks with you. A GPhC-registered pharmacist contacts you by phone or video to go through your answers and confirm whether this medicine is suitable. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must join the video call. If the pharmacist needs to look inside your ear — for example to rule out a perforated eardrum or a middle ear infection — they will ask you to visit our Holborn pharmacy for a free ear examination before supplying.
3. If suitable, we send you a payment link. Once the pharmacist confirms the medicine is suitable, we send you a secure payment link for the confirmed pack by email or message. You can also call 020 8106 7084. If it is not suitable — including when the pharmacist gives advice only — you pay nothing and the pharmacist explains your other options.
4. We post your medicine or you collect it. Orders paid by 3pm on a weekday are posted the same day (see our shipping policy), or you can collect from Holborn.

There is no separate consultation fee. If the medicine you chose is not suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option.

About this medicine

Dosage

• 1 spray into the affected ear three times a day for 7 days
• Shake the bottle and prime the pump before first use. Place the nozzle at the entrance of the ear canal — do not push it into the ear
• Keep the ear as dry as possible during treatment, avoid swimming, and do not use cotton buds

One bottle is supplied per consultation. If your ear has not started to improve within 2 to 3 days, gets worse, or the infection comes back after the course, contact the pharmacist or your GP — further supplies need a new assessment. The pharmacist will confirm the exact dose for you.

Warnings and who should not take this medicine

• People with a perforated (burst) eardrum, grommets, or previous ear surgery
• Anyone allergic to dexamethasone, neomycin or other aminoglycoside antibiotics, or any other ingredient
• Children under 2
• People who may have a middle ear infection — see our ear infection service
• People with severe or rapidly worsening pain, redness spreading onto the face or neck, swelling behind the ear, significant hearing loss, weakness of one side of the face or severe dizziness — get urgent medical help (NHS 111, A&E, or 999 in an emergency)
• People with something stuck in the ear, an ear injury, an ear canal that is swollen shut, or ear infections that keep coming back — please see a GP
• Suspected fungal or viral ear infection

Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have diabetes or a weakened immune system, have eczema or psoriasis affecting the ear, or wear a hearing aid. Do not use the spray in the eyes or mouth.

Possible side effects

Brief stinging or burning when the spray is applied, and local itching or irritation, can occur. Stop using it and seek advice if irritation gets worse, you notice any change in your hearing, or a rash develops. Get urgent medical help if you develop swelling of the face, lips or throat or difficulty breathing.

See our ear infection treatment service for all options and prices, and our earwax removal service if your ear feels blocked without signs of infection.

Regulatory information

• Legal status: Prescription-only medicine (POM), supplied under a Patient Group Direction after pharmacist assessment
• Pharmacy: Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · GPhC-registered premises 9012227
• Patient information leaflet: electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)
• Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme

This page gives factual information about a prescription-only medicine and is not an advertisement to the public. It is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.