Neosporin (topical)

Neosporin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria on your skin.

Neosporin (for the skin) is a combination medicine used as a first aid antibiotic to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns on your skin.

Neosporin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your medicine label and package. Inform all your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are using.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to bacitracin, neomycin, or polymyxin B.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• chronic ear infections; or
• a ruptured (torn) eardrum.

It is not known if Neosporin (topical) will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known if bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B (topical) passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Neosporin (topical) should not be used on a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you notice any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A rare but serious side effect of neomycin is hearing loss, which has happened in people using other forms of neomycin. It is unlikely that you will absorb enough of this medicine through your skin to cause this issue. Call your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your hearing.

Call your doctor right away if you experience severe redness or irritation, swelling, pus, oozing, or other signs of infection.

Common side effects of Neosporin may include:

• mild itching or rash; or
• minor skin irritation after using the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Before you apply this medication, wash the skin area with soap and water and then dry it thoroughly.

Do not apply the ointment over large skin areas. Do not use on a deep cut, an animal bite, or a serious burn. Contact your doctor for instructions on how to treat these more severe skin injuries.

This medication can be applied up to 3 times each day, or as directed on the medicine label. Cover the wound with a bandage if desired. Clean the wound and use a new bandage each time you apply the medicine.

Use the ointment for as many days as recommended on the label or by your doctor, even if your symptoms start getting better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if they get worse while using Neosporin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Throw away any ointment not used before the expiration date on the medicine label.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

An overdose of Neosporin (topical) is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if someone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

Do not take by mouth. Neosporin is for use only on your skin. Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this happens, rinse with water.

Avoid applying other creams, lotions, ointments, or other medicated skin products to the same areas you treat with Neosporin.

It is unlikely that other medications you take by mouth or inject will affect topically applied Neosporin. However, many medications can interact with each other. Inform all your health care providers about all the medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Can you buy antibiotics over the counter?
• What is the difference between Polysporin and Neosporin?