Neo-Polycin HC (ophthalmic)

Neo-Polycin HC (ophthalmic) is a combination of antibiotic and steroid medicine used to treat eye inflammation caused by uveitis, eye injury, radiation, chemical burns, or other specific conditions.

Neo-Polycin HC is used when there is a risk of bacterial infection in or around the eye.

Neo-Polycin HC 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 bacitracin, hydrocortisone, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if you have a fungal or viral infection of the eye (including herpes).

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.

Neo-Polycin HC 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.

Neo-Polycin HC may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe itching, redness, or swelling of your eyes;
• eye discomfort, crusting, or drainage (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 Neo-Polycin HC 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 can report side effects to the 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.

To apply the ointment: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment from the tube into this pocket. Blink your eye gently and then keep it closed for 1 or 2 minutes. Wipe excess ointment from your eyelashes using a clean tissue.

Do not touch the tip of the ointment tube or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated tube tip 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 at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use.

Use the medicine as soon as possible, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use two doses at the same time.

An overdose of Neo-Polycin HC (ophthalmic) is not likely to be harmful. 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 influenced by other drugs you take. However, many drugs can interact with one another. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all the medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.