Page 28 - P4403.59-V54_Numark Pharmacy Magazine Aug 24

Back to school!

Supporting patients with

Acute Otitis Media

The summer holidays will soon be over and your patients will be thinking about
preparing for their children to go back to school. This will include the usual
sorting of new school uniforms, books and stationery, but also popping in to pick
up prescriptions before the busy hustle and bustle of the school routine returns.

Over the summer months, you may have also noticed that patients have been
bringing their children in to seek advice and treatment for acute otitis media as
part of the Pharmacy First service.
Acute otitis media infections (ear infections affecting the middle ear) are
very common, particularly in children. They cause redness, swelling and fluid
buildup behind the ear drum. They often resolve themselves within 3 days, but
sometimes treatment can be necessary.

Who is eligible for treatment How can symptoms be
for this condition under managed?
Pharmacy First? • Self-care advice such as a warm or cold

• Patients aged between one and 17 years. flannel on the ear
• Over-the-counter products such as
• (Pregnant individuals under 16 years are painkillers
excluded, see PGD for full inclusion and
exclusion criteria) • Otigo ear drops supplied under PGD if
criteria are met
Some patients may benefit from antibiotics
if upon otoscopic examination by the
pharmacist, they have confirmed symptoms
of acute otitis media, as well as:
• Eardrum perforation
• Discharge following perforation (otorrhea)

• Child is under two years
• Infection in both ears
• Symptoms present for more than three
days

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