Medicine Droppers: HSA Eligibility

What are medicine droppers?

Medicine droppers are tools for dispensing medicine. They are commonly used for difficult situations requiring the application of medicine, such as reaching the inner ear, the eye, or anything involve an infant (LIVESTRONG). Medicine droppers are usually labeled with measurement indicators so that medicine can be accurately measured. Indicators are normally measured to the accuracy of 0.25 tsp or 0.5ml, and the maximum capacity of a medicine dropper can vary from less than 3ml to quite higher.

A medicine dropper is used by squeezing a plastic bulb on the end, lowering the dropper's tip into the liquid medicine, and releasing the plastic bulb. Carefully withdraw the medicine dropper, then gently squeeze the bulb until the desired amount of liquid medicine remains in the tube. Use the measurement marks to determine how much medicine is present. Release the plastic bulb and insert the medicine dropper where the medicine should be applied – the back of the mouth, the ear, or the eye. Then squeeze the bulb fully and firmly until all medicine has left the dropper (azcentral).

Medicine droppers are eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. 

A medicine dropper should be cleaned between uses with warm water. The dropper tube can usually be separated from the rubber bulb with gentle pressure so that both components can be washed thoroughly. Warm water and soap can be combined to effectively clean the medicine dropper. Some medicine dropper products may come with different dropper or tube assemblies that are straight or curved in order to facilitate better access to the area of the body requiring medication.