Carbamide Peroxide Safety

Carbamide peroxide is a liquid drop sold over the counter under a variety of brand names. Doctors recommend the treatment to loosen earwax, but patients should exercise caution when using the product.

Side Effects

• Common side effects associated with carbamide peroxide include a temporary decrease in hearing, a feeling of fullness in your ears, or itching, reports Drugs.com. Although rare, the drug has the potential to cause life-threatening allergic reactions including shortness of breath, chest pain, hives and swelling of your face or extremities.

Proper Use

• Always wash your hands with soap and water before administering the drops, and avoid touching the tip to the inside of your ear on any surface, to prevent contamination, cautions the Physicians Desktop Reference. Carbamide peroxide is only safe for use in your ears and should never be put in your eyes.

Time Frame

• Never use carbamide peroxide for more than four days as severe irritation may occur, warns Drugs.com.

Warning

• If you have any signs of an ear infection, such as pain, discharge from the ear, bleeding or a foul odor, you should not use carbamide peroxide, according to Drugs.com. Ear infections cannot be treated with carbamide peroxide and require a doctor's attention.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors avoid recommending cabamide peroxide for pregnant women unless there is no safe alternative to treatment. Carbamide peroxide is not safe for use in children under the age of 12.