Neomycin (Ophthalmic)

Neomycin is part of a group of medicines known as antibiotics. Neomycin ophthalmic preparations are used to treat eye infections.

You can get Neomycin only with a prescription from your doctor.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

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

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 about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of neomycin in children with its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in older adults. There is no specific information comparing the use of neomycin in the elderly with its use in 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

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about how your medicine interacts with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, this 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 you notice any of the following side effects:

More common

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

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have suggestions on how to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects persist, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Burning or stinging

After using eye ointments, it is normal for your vision to be blurry for a few minutes.

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

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

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately ⅓-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using neomycin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your 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 eye infection: For eye ointment dosage form: Adults and children—Use in the eye every eight to twenty-four hours.

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.