Hyde Park Pharmacy Your nationwide pharmacy

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Prescription medicine supplied under a pharmacist consultation and Patient Group Direction. Our pharmacist makes the final decision on every supply.

Illustration purposes only — generic brand may vary

MHRA-licensed medicinesGPhC-registered pharmacy 9011727Assessed by our pharmacistPrivate & confidential

Hyde Park Pharmacy · General Health

Ear infection treatment

Treatment for outer- and middle-ear infections in adults, after our pharmacist examines your ear. Children's earache is treated free on the NHS.

In-person assessment

£11.29from price

Examined by our pharmacist at the pharmacy; you pay there only if treatment is supplied. Walk in, or book a time below.

Book an ear exam →

Children 1–17: free on the NHS. Earache in children aged 1 to 17 is treated free of charge under NHS Pharmacy First — no appointment needed. Check the NHS service →

What it is

For outer-ear infection (otitis externa) with an intact eardrum, Otomize spray or Otosporin drops. For middle-ear infection (otitis media) where antibiotics are justified, amoxicillin — or clarithromycin if you're allergic to penicillin. Our pharmacist examines your ear with an otoscope first.

See over-the-counter options for this →

Who it's for

Suitable if…

Adults aged 18 and over. Children aged 1–17 are treated free under NHS Pharmacy First.
Your symptoms match what this treats
You have no reason below not to use it

Not suitable if…

your eardrum may be perforated, or you have discharge or grommets
symptoms have lasted more than a week or keep returning
you have severe pain, swelling behind the ear, or feel very unwell (see a doctor)

How it works

Book an assessment or walk in

Our pharmacist examines your ear with an otoscope

If treatment is appropriate, we supply it there and then — antibiotics only when they're genuinely needed

Questions, answered plainly

Do I definitely need antibiotics?

Not always — many ear infections settle on their own. Our pharmacist only supplies antibiotics when the examination shows they're justified.

Can you treat my child?

Yes — earache in children aged 1–17 is treated free under NHS Pharmacy First. Just walk in.

How long does ear infection treatment take to work?

Outer-ear treatments (the ear spray or drops) are used for up to seven days — our pharmacist will advise reassessment if there is no improvement within seven days or if symptoms worsen. For middle-ear infections, amoxicillin is a five-to-seven-day course; most cases settle within a few days, and you should seek help if symptoms worsen or do not improve within three days.

Can I use ear drops if I have a perforated eardrum or a grommet?

No — the ear spray and drops both contain neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can damage hearing (ototoxicity) if the eardrum is not intact. They are contraindicated with a perforated eardrum or a patent grommet unless a specialist directs otherwise. That is why our pharmacist confirms the eardrum is intact before any supply.

Can I still be treated if I'm allergic to penicillin?

Amoxicillin is not supplied if you are allergic to penicillin, or if you have ever had a severe immediate reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to a related beta-lactam antibiotic. Always tell our pharmacist about any antibiotic allergy and what happened when you took it. Penicillin-allergic patients are managed through a separate clarithromycin pathway where available, or referred to a prescriber instead.

Ready to start?

Book an assessment or walk in — 22-24 Woodsley Road, Leeds (today's hours are in the bar at the top of the page).

Book an ear exam →

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