Carbamide peroxide is a compound commonly used in dental products and ear care solutions. It's a combination of urea and hydrogen peroxide. In dentistry, it's used primarily as a whitening agent in tooth-whitening products. When applied to the teeth, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. The hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleaching agent that penetrates the tooth enamel and breaks down stains, whitening the teeth.

In ear care, carbamide peroxide is used to soften and remove earwax buildup. It works by releasing oxygen when it comes into contact with the skin, which helps to break up earwax and facilitate its removal.

Carbamide peroxide is also called urea-hydrogen peroxide, which is a water-soluble compound used as a disinfectant and dental bleaching agent for teeth whitening. It is used orally for the treatment of canker sores, minor wounds, and gum inflammation due to minor dental procedures, dentures, orthodontic appliances, accidental injury, or other irritations of the mouth and gums. It also helps in the removal of phlegm, mucus, or other secretions associated with an occasional sore mouth. When used topically in the ear, it softens and loosens the mucus that helps in the removal of ear wax.

Carbamide Peroxide dose in adult

Carbamide Peroxide dose in the treatment of Ear wax removal:  

• Just put 5 to 10 drops in your ear, twice a day, for up to 4 days.
• This helps soften the wax so it's easier to remove.

Carbamide Peroxide dose in the treatment of Mouth, gum, or dental irritation:  

• After meals and before bed, use it up to 4 times a day.
• You can apply it directly on the sore spot by putting a few drops there and rinsing out after 2 to 3 minutes.
• Or you can use it as a mouthwash by putting 10 to 20 drops on your tongue, mixing it with saliva, swishing it around for at least a minute, and then spitting it out.
• Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid any issues.

Carbamide Peroxide dose in Children

Carbamide Peroxide dose in the treatment of Ear wax removal:

For children under 12 years old:

• There isn't a lot of data available, but typically you can use carbamide peroxide ear drops (at a 6.5% solution) by putting 1 to 5 drops in the ear, twice a day, for up to 4 days.
• Make sure to adjust the dose based on the child's size.

For children 12 years and older, as well as adolescents:

• Just put 5 to 10 drops in the ear, twice a day, for up to 4 days.

Carbamide Peroxide dose in the treatment of Mouth, gum, or dental irritation:  

For children aged 2 years and older, as well as adolescents:

• 10% solution:
  • Use it up to 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime.
  • You can apply it directly to the affected area by putting several drops there and rinsing out after 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Alternatively, you can use it as a mouth rinse by putting 10 to 20 drops on the tongue, mixing it with saliva, swishing it around for at least a minute, and then spitting it out.
  • You can continue this treatment for up to 7 days.

Use in Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

It can be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Carbamide Peroxide Dose in Kidney disease:

No dose adjustment is required in patients with renal disease.

Carbamide Peroxide Dose in Liver disease:

No dose adjustment is required in patients with liver disease.

Common Side Effects Of Carbamide peroxide Include:

• Dermatologic:
  • Localized erythema, skin rash
• Infection:
  • Superinfection
• Local:
  • Local irritation
  • Redness

Precautions to take while using Carbamide peroxide:

• If there is swelling, rash or fever, the patient should stop using carbamide peroxide.
• If the redness, irritation, or pain persists for longer than seven days, you should seek medical attention.
  • If you have eardrum perforation, pain, irritation, rash or eardrum discharge, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
  • Patients with persistent symptoms for more than 4 days after ear surgery should consult a doctor before using the device.

Monitoring parameters:

None required

How to use Carbamide peroxide?

• For oral use, remember it's only for topical application, meaning it's not meant to be swallowed. And definitely, don't use it for your eyes.
• For the ears, tilt your head sideways and put the drops in. When the solution touches the earwax, it might foam up, and you might hear a crackling sound. Keep your head tilted or use cotton to keep the drops in for a few minutes. After treatment, you can flush out any remaining wax by gently rinsing your ear with warm water using a soft rubber bulb ear syringe. Just make sure not to let the applicator tip touch your ear canal.

Mechanism of action of Carbamide peroxide:

• When carbamide peroxide comes into contact with catalase, it undergoes a reaction that releases oxygen.
• This oxygen release likely contributes to its deodorant action by inhibiting odor-causing bacteria.
• Additionally, its foaming action helps to soften impacted earwax, making it easier to remove.
• So, the effectiveness of carbamide peroxide in deodorants and earwax removal is likely due to these mechanisms.

Onset of action:

• The onset of action for carbamide peroxide is typically around 24 hours.

Carbamide Peroxide Brand Names (International):

• Earclear
• Exterol
• Hyperol
• Perroxy
• Remowax

Carbamide Peroxide brands in Pakistan: