Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B (ophthalmic)

Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination of an antibiotic and a steroid. It is used to treat eye inflammation caused by uveitis, eye injury, radiation, chemical burns, or some other conditions.

Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B is used when there is a risk of bacterial infection in or around the eye.

Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• glaucoma;
• cataracts, or if you need cataract surgery; or
• an allergic reaction to a medicine like neomycin (such as kanamycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, or gentamicin).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B (ophthalmic) is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• severe itching, redness, or swelling of your eyes;
• eye discomfort, crusting, or drainage (these may be signs of infection);
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• pain behind your eyes, sudden changes in vision; or
• a wound that will not heal.

Common side effects of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B may include:

• mild eye itching or irritation; or
• eye redness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

Shake the eye drops well just before each use.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment.

If you use this medicine for longer than 10 days, you may need frequent vision tests to check the pressure inside your eyes.

Store this medicine in an upright position at room temperature. Do not freeze.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

An overdose of hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B (ophthalmic) is not expected to be dangerous. Get emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if someone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you take. However, many drugs can interact with one another. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you are using, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.