Does Usage Of Betnesol For Ear Infection During Pregnancy Harmful?

Posted on Fri, 19 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 Answered on

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have an ear infection and have been prescribed betnesol 0.1% drops. Iam 16 weeks pregnant and just read the risk to pregnancy is retarded growth and cleft pallet. I'm really scared now and don't know wether to use them but I need something for my ear.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Topical does not carry the risk

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that you have swimmer's ear and that you are currently prescribed Betnesol ear drops. Since you are using the medication only topically there is no danger of causing birth defects. The ear drops are not absorbed into the skin and will not affect your child. I can recommend that you proceed with using the ear drops. If you are still concerned a home remedy fro swimmer's ear is putting vinegar in your ear. This will help stop the infection. Also you need to keep all water out of the ear until it is healed. Use a cotton ball with vaseline to keep water out while bathing.

I summary
1. Betnesol is OK for topical use
2. If not try vinegar
3. Keep water out of ear

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

What's safer to use in pregnancy otomize ear spray or betnesol 0.1% for an ear infection?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Otomized ear spray

Detailed Answer:
I would recommend the use of otomizer if you have to chose between the two. Though as I said earlier the risk with topical ear drops is very low.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar