Neomycin, polymyxin b, and bacitracin (Ophthalmic)

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination antibiotic medicine is used to treat infections of the eye.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks versus the benefits. 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, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Research on this medicine has only been conducted in adults, and there is no specific information comparing the use of neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination in children to its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

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

Breast Feeding

Studies in women indicate that this medication poses minimal risk to infants when used during breastfeeding.

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

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together with caution. In those cases, your doctor might need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is particularly important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when using this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

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 might change the dose or the frequency of one or both medicines.

• Alcuronium
• Atracurium
• Cisatracurium
• Doxacurium
• Fazadinium
• Gallamine
• Hexafluorenium
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rapacuronium
• Rocuronium
• Tubocurarine
• Vecuronium

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

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

More common

• Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation not present before use of this medicine

After applying eye ointments, your vision usually blurs for a few minutes.

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

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

In the U.S.

• Neo-Polycin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic Combination

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, polymyxin B, and bacitracin 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 infections: For eye ointment dosage forms: Adults and children—Use a thin strip of ointment in the eyes every three or four hours for seven to ten days.

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.

• Can you buy antibiotics over the counter?