Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops

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Reviewed on Jan 21, 2026. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on January 21, 2029.

Last updated on Jan 21, 2026.

Product info

Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops treats excessive earwax build-up.
It works by softening the ear wax, which reduces symptoms like ear pain.
Used three to four times daily until symptoms improve (three to five days).

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£25.95

Save £0.00 each order

Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops: essential info
Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

How to use Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops

Start off by reading the leaflet that’s provided with your ear drops to make sure that you’re following the right instructions for your particular treatment. Here’s how to use Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops:

wash your hands before you start
warm the drops to room temperature before using them. You can do this by letting it sit in a room at normal room temperature for around 30 minutes before you use them.
lie down, or tilt your head slightly, so that the affected ear is facing upwards.
gently pull your earlobe to straighten the ear canal.
release 3-4 drops into your ear to fill the ear canal. Try not to touch the inside of your ear with the dropper as you do this.
keep your ear facing upwards for 5-10 minutes to keep the solution in your ear.
repeat the process in your other ear if you have been asked to use the drops in both ears.

You might notice wax starting to come out of your ear. Don’t poke or pick at this inside of your ears. Instead use a clean cloth or tissue to wipe away any wax that’s on the outside of your ears. Many people don’t even notice the wax as it comes out of their ear.

How long does it take Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops to work?

You should usually see the difference in 3-5 days when using Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops.^[1] The wax should start to soften and the symptoms of ear wax overproduction should start to be relieved. If this doesn’t happen, go back to your clinician, or send us a message if you’re using Treated. We can look into other options and let you know which treatments might be right for you.

Treated trusted sources:

patient.info. (n.d.). Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops. Side effects & info – Patient.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on January 21, 2026. Next review due on January 21, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

FAQ: Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Are Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops similar to any other treatments?

Answer:

There are other drop treatments commonly recommended for earwax. Olive oil drops can also soften the earwax like sodium bicarbonate drops, helping your ears to clear of wax in a similar way. Like sodium bicarbonate drops, olive oil drops are also cheap and widely available. But for some people, olive oil can increase wax build up.

There are also hydrogen peroxide drops, which are a pharmacy medicine. So you’ll need to get them from a registered pharmacy after chatting to a licensed prescriber, but we can do this for you. Some people find them slightly more irritating than sodium bicarbonate drops, but they work in the same way.

How effective are Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops?

Answer:

Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops are effective for most people with earwax buildup. Studies have found that they work as well as other drops for relieving earwax, and don’t cause any significant side effects. ^[1]

To make sure they’re as effective as possible, use Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops as your clinician advises. If you have questions, just message us if you’ve bought your ear drops from us. Don’t put cotton buds or other objects into your ear canals, as this can make earwax buildup worse.

How are Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops different to other treatments for ear wax?

Answer:

Sodium bicarbonate drops are easier, cheaper and less invasive than other treatments for excessive ear wax, like syringing. This can mean less discomfort during treatment and no need to visit a medical practice for in-person treatment.

It’s usually better to try drops like sodium bicarbonate drops before you try procedures like syringing, to see if your earwax can resolve without intervention.

Do I need a prescription for Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops?

Answer:

No, you don’t need a prescription for Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops. So you don’t need a clinician’s approval before you try them. If you order from Treated, we’ll check in with you during your treatment to see how it’s going.

Treated trusted sources:

Cheng, A., Stephens, D. and Currie, B., 2003. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonia in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic