AURALGAN RELIEVES EAR PAIN.

Few children escape acute otitis media (AOM), which usually causes ear pain. The authors claim that this is the first study to evaluate a topical agent to relieve pain.

Researchers randomized 54 children at least five years old who presented to a Philadelphia emergency department with moderate-to-severe ear pain from AOM to either Auralgan otic solution (a combination of antipyrine, benzocaine, and glycerin) or olive oil placebo. All children also received a 15 mg/kg single dose of acetaminophen. At 10, 20, and 30 minutes after treatment, more patients in the Auralgan group than in the placebo group had reduced pain, but this difference was significant only at 30 minutes. Neither topical agent produced adverse effects.