Bausch + Lomb’s Soothe Antibiotic Drops now available in Canada
The drops are formulated to target bacteria that cause infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis and otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear.
Each mL of the drop contains polymyxin B 10,000 units (as sulfate) and Gramicidin 0.025 mg, making it suitable for children 6 years old and older. Image credit: AdobeStock/famveldman
A new OTC treatment for external bacterial infections of the eye and ear has now entered the Canadian market.1 Bausch + Lomb’s Soothe Antibiotic Drops are formulated to target bacteria that cause infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis and otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, according to a news release.
“There is growing demand for effective options that address bacterial infections in both the eye and ear,” said John Ferris, president of Consumer, Bausch + Lomb, in the release. “Soothe Antibiotic Drops provide Canadians a convenient, 2-in-1 option that addresses these common patient needs without requiring a prescription.”
Each mL of the drop contains polymyxin B 10,000 units (as sulfate) and Gramicidin 0.025 mg, making it suitable for children 6 years old and older.2
Soothe Antibiotic Drops have been made available in a 10 mL bottle2 at most Canadian national retailers at an average manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $20.00.1
The drops join a variety of other treatments in the Bausch + Lomb Soothe family, including Allergy, Dry Eyes, Night Time, Dry Eye Therapy, Allergy and Dry Eye, and Eye Wash drops.2
In other news
Bausch + Lomb has had a big month so far in eye drop news, with results recently being published from a study evaluating end-of-day comfort and dryness in symptomatic soft contact lens wearers improvement after using Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution; Bausch + Lomb) 5%. The results reinforce previous clinical studies that have demonstrated that Xiidra significantly reduces symptoms of eye dryness over 12 weeks. The investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label study evaluated Xiidra when used twice a day for 12 weeks while wearing their usual contact lenses, according to a news release.3
Xiidra is a prescription eye drop used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) and works by targeting the source of inflammation.3
The study met its primary end points, with a median VAS score improving by 61 and 59 points on the 100-point scale for end-of-day dryness and discomfort, respectively, after 12 weeks of Xiidra use. Additionally, the drops resulted in a significant reduction in contact lens wear-related end-of-day dryness and discomfort after 2 and 6 weeks compared with baseline. Dryness symptoms also improved in almost half (45%) of the study participants to the point where they would not have met the symptom-related eligibility criteria for the study after 2 weeks of treatment.3
References:
Bausch + Lomb launches Soothe Antibiotic Drops in Canada. News release. Bausch + Lomb. September 16, 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.bausch.ca/en-ca/bausch-lomb-launches-soothe-antibiotic-drops-in-canada/
Soothe Antibiotic Drops. Bausch + Lomb. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.sootheeyedrops.ca/en-ca/products/soothe-antibiotic-drops/
Joy J. New study demonstrates Xiidra’s efficacy in alleviating discomfort in symptomatic contact lens wearers. Optometry Times. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/new-study-demonstrates-xiidra-s-efficacy-in-alleviating-discomfort-in-symptomatic-contact-lens-wearers
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