Cerumenex is a cerumenolytic agent recently introduced for the softening and removal of ear wax. Its use has been recommended for routine aural hygiene of the infant and child, as well as for the removal of amniotic debris from the auditory canal of infants.1,2 It is hoped that traumatic injury to the ear and its parts may be avoided by precluding instrumentation of the ear for this procedure.
Cerumenex is composed of 10% cerapon in propylene glycol, with 0.5% chlorbutanol added as an antibacterial preservative. Cerapon is a triethanolamine polypeptide oleate condensate made by adding triethanolamine to the polypeptide oleate.3 The otic solution is applied by instillation into the external auditory canal. A cotton plug then is inserted into the canal to keep the drops in place overnight. The next morning the ear canal is rinsed gently with lukewarm water from a soft rubber syringe. As little as