# Inactive ingredients in Debrox, an earwax removal product **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192 "2016-05-31T22:42:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/1 "2016-05-31T22:42:13Z")
One “Inactive ingredient” in Debrox is “flavor.” WTF??? Flavor??? For earwax removal? I suppose if you have a perforated eardrum and some of the stuff leaks in and down your eustachian tube to your throat, you might taste it, but if you have a perforation, you wouldn’t use this stuff. What’s the point? Flavor??? ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/2 "2016-06-01T01:52:04Z")
Could it be something to make people not take it orally? Bad flavor? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/3 "2016-06-01T01:59:49Z")
As a great wizard once said, “Alas. Earwax.” ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/4 "2016-06-01T02:14:57Z")
Clearly, no answer here. I have written to the manufacturer and will report back if I hear anything definitive. After all, we’re fighting ignorance here, yes? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/5 "2016-06-01T02:18:25Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Could it be something to make people not take it orally? Bad flavor? That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t think it’s toxic, but it isn’t designed for oral use and the less appealing it is (especially to children), the better. Trust me, there is no limit to the stupidity of the general public. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/6 "2016-06-01T02:28:24Z")
FYI, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/44djbb/this_ear_wax_removal_solution_has_flavor_listed/)’s a Reddit thread from a few months ago asking the same question. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/7 "2016-06-01T05:39:55Z")
I’ve never tasted Debrox or used it on myself. It does have a medicinal smell. The linked thread has people saying that they get a nasty taste of the ear drops in the back of the throat and I remember my kids not liking Debrox at all. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/8 "2016-06-01T15:59:23Z")
Here’s the response from the makers of Debrox: “The purpose of the flavoring in the Debrox earwax removal aid is related to the connection between the ear canal and the nasal cavity, which presents a possiblity for the Debrox to be exposed to an area where flavors and/or scents may be detected. The flavor helps Debrox maintain a pleasant experience for consumers when it is used.” Since the connection between the middle ear and the nasal cavity is behind the eardrum, I still don’t understand how any material placed in the outer ear can make its way into the eustachian tube and/or nasal cavity. We have a couple of docs who periodically weigh in here ( **Qagdop, Karl Gauss, Chief Pedant** ). Maybe one of those fellers could clarify this. _Gray’s Anatomy_ doesn’t do the job for me. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/9 "2016-06-01T21:38:58Z")
I am currently using Debrox, and it is getting into my mouth–it doesn’t taste horrible, but not that appetizing. AFAIK my eardrums are not perforated, but one never knows I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/10 "2016-06-03T03:39:25Z")
I’m not sure whether this is the motivation, but the stuff can leak out of the ears and dribble down the face. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/11 "2016-06-03T13:54:44Z")
> [@TSBG](#): > > I am currently using Debrox, and it is getting into my mouth–it doesn’t taste horrible, but not that appetizing. AFAIK my eardrums are not perforated, but one never knows I suppose. Are you sure it’s not smell? Anything that could be characterized as a distinct “flavor” is actually a scent, since taste itself is a fairly low-resolution sense. And if it’s fragrance, it doesn’t have to get anywhere near your mouth. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I’m not sure whether this is the motivation, but the stuff can leak out of the ears and dribble down the face. Ewww. It can, but for the love of $DIETY, why would you let it? What this place needs is a good “ICKY” smiley. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/12 "2016-06-03T15:15:09Z")
IF there is an ear drum perforation, any drop into the external ear canal can find its way to the Eustachian tube and into the throat, where it’ll be tasted. Of course, drops should be avoided wherever possible for folks with such perforations, but it happens. A flavored drop at least serves as a marker; if someone reports tasting that flavor after getting ear drops, a perforation should be looked for. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/13 "2016-06-03T19:36:39Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Ewww. It can, but for the love of $DIETY, why would you let it? > > What this place needs is a good “ICKY” smiley. Not sure why that’s so icky. The active ingredient in oral antiseptic medication I have for canker sore relief is the same as it is for Debrox (Debrox has a lower concentration). The primary inactive ingredient in both is glycerin. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/14 "2016-06-03T19:55:42Z")
> [@dzeiger](#): > > Not sure why that’s so icky. The active ingredient in oral antiseptic medication I have for canker sore relief is the same as it is for Debrox (Debrox has a lower concentration). The primary inactive ingredient in both is glycerin. I don’t know if “icky” is the right word, but people sometimes get squeamish about the active ingredient, which is carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is hydrogen peroxide cocrystallized with urea. It’s the released H2O2 that does the work - the carbamide form has a better shelf life. When you propose hydrogen peroxide being stuck in their bodily orifices, some people think about hair bleach, rocket fuel, and submarine accidents and shy away. In actuality, it’s reasonably safe at the low concentrations in medical preparations. (If you want to make your ears fizz cheaper, just buy a bottle of 3% medicinal hydrogen peroxide, which is a somewhat stronger concentration than the 6.5% carbamide peroxide found in ear drops, but still used by plenty of people.) ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inactive-ingredients-in-debrox-an-earwax-removal-product/756192/15 "2016-06-04T17:29:26Z")
It’s not smell, I can definitely feel the liquid in my throat. I guess I will discontinue use…