Neomycin, polymyxin b, and gramicidin (Ophthalmic)

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin is a combination antibiotic medicine used to treat eye infections.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination is available only with a 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 will consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an 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 over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Research on this medicine has only been conducted in adults, and there is no specific information comparing its use in children to its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

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

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication during 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 could happen. In these situations, your doctor might want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain 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 using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

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

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

More common

• Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or any other sign of irritation in or around the eye that was not present before using this medicine

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or reduce 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 sensation in the eye

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 can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Neocidin
• Neosporin
• Ocu-Spor-G

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic Combination

Chemical Class: Neomycin

The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.

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. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip or dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container 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 drops dosage form: Adults and children—Use one drop in the eye two to four times a day for seven to ten days. If you have a more serious infection, your doctor may want you to use one drop in the eye every fifteen to thirty minutes at first. Then your doctor may have you use the medicine less often.

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.