Neomycin and polymyxin b (Topical)

Neomycin and polymyxin B combination is used to stop bacterial infections. It works by killing bacteria.

Neomycin and polymyxin B cream is put on the skin to prevent minor bacterial skin infections. It may also be used for other issues as decided by your doctor.

This medicine is available without a prescription.

If your skin infection does not get better within 1 week, or if it gets worse, contact your health care professional.

In deciding to use a medicine, you must consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it will provide. This is a decision you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

While there is no specific information comparing the use of neomycin and polymyxin B combination in children to other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of neomycin and polymyxin B combination in the elderly to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be used together, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these instances, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both of the medicines.

• Alcuronium
• Aspirin
• Atracurium
• Cidofovir
• Cisatracurium
• Colistimethate Sodium
• Decamethonium
• Doxacurium
• Emtricitabine
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Fazadinium
• Foscarnet
• Furosemide
• Gallamine
• Hexafluorenium
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rapacuronium
• Rocuronium
• Sorafenib
• Tacrolimus
• Tenofovir Alafenamide
• Tubocurarine
• Vecuronium

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both of the medicines.

• Bumetanide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around mealtime or with specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Itching, pain, skin rash, swelling, redness, or any other sign of skin irritation that was not present before using this medicine

Rare

• Loss of hearing

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Antibiotic Cream

Chemical Class: Neomycin

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, do not use it to treat deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns, or raw areas without first checking with your health care professional.

Do not use this medicine in the eyes.

To use:

• Before applying this medicine, wash the affected area(s) with soap and water, and dry thoroughly.
• Apply a small amount of this medicine to the affected area(s) and rub in gently.
• After applying this medicine, the treated area(s) may be covered with a gauze dressing if desired.

Do not use this medicine for longer than 1 week or on large areas of the skin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage form (cream): For prevention of minor bacterial infections: Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin one to three times a day. Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.