| Water-based |
| 10% Triethanolamine polypeptide oleate condensate | Soften cerumen before irrigation | Fill affected ear canal 15 to 30 minutes before irrigation | Can be irritating to the ear canal and should not be used for a prolonged period |
| Docusate sodium | Soften cerumen before irrigation | Fill affected ear canal with 1 cc 15 to 30 minutes before irrigation | In one study, one fifth of tympanic membranes were visualized without irrigation22 |
| 3% Hydrogen peroxide | Soften cerumen before irrigation | Fill affected ear canal 15 to 30 minutes before irrigation | If not completely removed, bubbling may interfere with ability to visualize tympanic membrane |
| 2.5% Acetic acid | Home treatment of impacted cerumen | Fill affected ear with 2 to 3 cc twice daily for up to 14 days22 | More effective in children than in adults22 |
| 10% Sodium bicarbonate | Soften cerumen before irrigation or as an alternative to irrigation | Fill affected ear with 2 to 3 cc 15 to 30 minutes before irrigation, or alternatively for three to 14 days at home with or without irrigation16,21 | More effective in children than in adults22 |
| Water or saline | Soften cerumen before irrigation | If irrigation is attempted without softening and is ineffective with the first irrigation attempt, instill water and wait 15 minutes before repeating irrigation20 | — |
| Non–water-based/non–oil-based |
| Carbamide peroxide (Debrox) | Soften cerumen before irrigation or as an alternative to irrigation | Put five to 10 drops into the affected ear twice daily for up to seven days | — |
| 50% Choline salicylate and glycerol (e.g., Earex Plus, Audax); ethylene oxide polyoxypropylene glycol (Addax); propylene glycol; 0.5% chlorbutol | Soften cerumen before irrigation or as an alternative to irrigation | Put three drops into the affected ear twice daily for four days | Not all brands and formulations are available in the United States |
| Oil-based |
| 57.3% Arachis oil, 5% chlorbutol, 2% paradicholorbenzene, 10% oil of turpentine (e.g., Cerumol) | Soften cerumen before irrigation or as an alternative to irrigation | Fill affected ear with 5 cc twice daily for two to three days | Not all brands and formulations are available in the United States |
| Arachis oil, almond oil, rectified camphor oil (e.g., Otocerol, Earex) | Soften cerumen before irrigation or as an alternative to irrigation | Put four drops into the affected ear twice daily for up to four days | Not all brands and formulations are available in the United States |
| Olive oil, almond oil, or mineral oil | Soften cerumen before irrigation | Put three drops into the affected ear at bedtime for three or four days | — |