Is antibiotic ear spray the normal treatment for an ear infection?

[DrunkSkunk]

I went to Specsavers yesterday to get ear wax removed but it turned out I have an ear infection.
It was too late to get a doctor's appointment so the surgery referred me to a pharmacy for a consultation.
The pharmacy prescribed antibiotic ear spray (called Optimize).
Is this what's normally prescribed or have I been fobbed off?
I think I was expecting oral antibiotics.

That's what I get when I have a slight infection, it does work for me. I get ezcema in my ear, so I get inflammation quite alot.

If you develop a temperature or other symptoms then speak to your GP 🙂

Yes it is normal.
I get them all the time.
You'll have an outer ear infection (as opposed to an inner ear infection).
From what you've put her it doesn't sound like you'll need anything more than this ear spray, all being well

Oral antibiotics rarely work with eat infections.

I didn't know you could get that at a pharmacy. I used to get it a lot. The topical spray works well and I would do anything to avoid oral antibiotics if I can. Partly because of the effects on the gut, but mainly because I am vulnerable to infections and antibiotic resistance is a real threat.

Thanks all.
@RedHinge I did go to the doctor's surgery first and got a referral from the receptionist to the pharmacy.
I'm not sure I'd have got it if I went straight to the pharmacy.

Otomize is only available on prescription because it does contain antibiotics

I had two ear infections last year, an inner and outer ear infection.

The ENT consultant gave me antibiotic drops for the outer ear infection, presumably very similar to a spray, just a different method of application.

It cleared it. I think I had to do it twice or three times a day for a few weeks.

I tried to get some from the pharmacy but they said i needed to go through my GP!

Yes completely normal. I was prescribed the exact same spray by my GP for. Recent ear infection

I always have to get a prescription for otomize from doctor

It's great stuff, I buy it on line and always keep one in my bag after an ear infection which came on so fast I didn't know what to do with myself and of course it was the weekend!

Oh after seeing the price online I think I'll stick with the doctors! 🤣

My ENT consultant told me oral antibiotics aren't very good for ear infections and always prescribed me ear drops instead x

Dh has an ear infection and has tried various ear drop antibiotics and none have worked. He's currently on gentamicin but that doesn't seem to be working either. Not sure what the next step is.

Otomize is great first line for ear infections. It’s got mild steroids in it iirc as well as antibiotics. It only won’t work if your ear is so swollen you can’t get the nozzle in, then you get oral abx (been there 😬)

No you can't have a consultation with a pharmacist without being referred by your GP surgery.

It's a new scheme called Community Pharmacy Consultation Service.

A patient contacting the practice will be assessed and if deemed appropriate, with the patient’s consent, a secure electronic referral is sent to the community pharmacy of the patient’s choice. The pharmacist will contact the patient to arrange the consultation and then send a summary back to the GP.

I used to get some drops on prescription called locorten. Worked like magic but they stopped making them.

What oral antibiotics did you get? Was this from a consultant or a GP?

Last lot I got was £17, I'd happily pay the extra £7 NOT to try ( and fail!) to get through to my doctors! 🤣

Mine's quite good with it to be fair.
I ring up and say I'm pretty sure I've got an outer ear infection and they give be an appointment that day.
Weird though cos I do remember a time when they weren't that good