Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associatedwith acute otitis media

Citation
Em. Sarrell et al., Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associatedwith acute otitis media, ARCH PED AD, 155(7), 2001, pp. 796-799
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics,"Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
ISSN journal
10724710 → ACNP
Volume
155
Issue
7
Year of publication
2001
Pages
796 - 799
Database
ISI
SICI code
1072-4710(200107)155:7<796:EONEIT>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Objective: To determine the efficacy and tolerance of Otikon Otic Solution (Healthy-On Ltd, Petach-Tikva, Israel), a naturopathic herbal extract (cont aining Allium sativum, Verbascum thapsus, Calendula flores, and Hypericum p erforatum in olive oil), compared with Anaesthetic (Vitamed Pharmaceutical Ltd, Benyamina, Israel) ear drops (containing ametocaine and phenazone in g lycerin) in the management of ear pain associated with acute otitis media ( AOM). Design: Children between the ages of 6 and 18 years who experienced ear pai n (otalgia) and who were diagnosed with eardrum problems associated with AO M were randomly assigned to be treated with Otikon or Anaesthetic ear drops , which were instilled into the external canal(s) of the affected ear(s). E ar pain was assessed using 2 visual analog scales: a linear scale and a col or scale. Pain assessment took place throughout the course of 3 days. The m ean score of pain reduction was used to measure outcome. Setting: Primary pediatric community ambulatory centers. Participants: One hundred three children aged 6 to 18 years who were diagno sed with otalgia associated with AOM. Results: Each of the 2 treatment groups were comparable on the basis of age , sex, laterality of AOM, and the effectiveness of ameliorating symptoms of otalgia. The 2 groups were also comparable to each other in the initial ea r pain score and in the scores at each application of Otikon or Anaesthetic drops. There was a statistically significant improvement in ear pain score throughout the course of the study period (P=.007). Conclusions: Otikon, an ear drop formulation of naturopathic origin, is as effective as Anaesthetic ear drops and was proven appropriate for the manag ement AOM-associated ear pain.