severe dizziness and/or vertigo. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following symptoms occur: Hives Difficulty breathing Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat Severe burning or other irritation after using the ear drops Loss of hearing Skin rash, redness, swelling, itching, dryness, scaling, or other irritation in or around the ear. Precautions Ear drops should not be shared to prevent the spread of infection. Ear drops should not be used after the expiration date. Ear drops should only be used in the affected ear. Ear drops are usually used for a short duration of time. Make sure to only use it as prescribed. Cotton buds should not be used to clean the inside of the ear since this can cause inflammation and make things worse. Ear drops should not be used for a ruptured eardrum (a hole or tear in the eardrum), unless instructed by a medical provider. Missed dose If a dose is missed, do not double up at the next administration to catch up and the dose can be administered when recalled. Additionally if it is close to the next dose, skip that missed dose and resume as normal. Shelf life Although ear drops typically contain preservatives that slow the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, this does not offer long term protection from contamination. The shelf life of ear drops varies with products generally needing to be discarded within 4 weeks after opening. With proper use and storage, ear drops should remain effective and safe until the expiration date printed in the medication package insert. Uses and common types of ear drops Break up earwax Ear wax, also known as cerumen, protects the ear from dust, bacteria, and small objects from entering and damaging the ear. It also provides a coating to protect the skin inside the ear canal from irritation from water during showers and water activities. However, some individuals have more active glands which can produce more ear wax. That can lead to a build up and block the ear canal causing hearing loss, noises in the ear, sensation of ear is plugged and full, and earache. The excess ear wax may also harden causing an impaction and discomfort. Healthcare providers recommend against reaching into the ears to clean it because the ear wax may be pushed even deeper into the ear canal. Drops to safely break up earwax are available over-the-counter