NEOMYCIN,POLYMYXIN B, AND GRAMICIDIN (Ophthalmic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Ak-Spore Ophthalmic Solution
- Neocidin Ophthalmic Solution
- Neosporin Ophthalmic Solution
- Ocu-Spor-G
- Ocutricin Ophthalmic Solution
- P.N. Ophthalmic
- Tribiotic
- Tri-Ophthalmic
- Triple Antibiotic
In Canada?
- Neosporin Ophthalmic Solution
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
- Antibacterial, ophthalmic
Description
Neomycin, polymyxin B,and gramicidin (nee-oh-MYE-sin, pol-i-MIX-inbee, and gram-i-SYE-din) is a combination antibiotic medicineused to treat infections of the eye.
Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination is available only withyour doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Ophthalmic- Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For neomycin, polymyxinB, and gramicidin ophthalmic drops, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to this medicine or to any related antibiotic, such as amikacin(e.g., Amikin), colistimethate (e.g., Coly-Mycin M), colistin (e.g., Coly-MycinS), gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin (e.g., Kantrex), netilmicin (e.g.,Netromycin), paromomycin (e.g., Humatin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (e.g.,Nebcin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to anyother substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy?Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combinationhas not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding?Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combinationhas not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this combinationin children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination in the elderly with usein other age groups.
Proper Use of This Medicine
The bottle is only partiallyfull to provide proper drop control.
To use:
- First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your fingergently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid awayfrom the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go ofthe eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for1 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 applicatortip or dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the containertightly closed.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep usingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptomshave disappeared. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing?The dose of neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidinophthalmic combination will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The followinginformation includes only the average doses of neomycin, polymyxin B, andgramicidin ophthalmic combination. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For eye infections:
- For eye drops dosage form:
- Adults and children?Use one drop in the eye two to four timesa day for seven to ten days. If you have a more serious infection, your doctormay want you to use one drop in the eye every fifteen to thirty minutes atfirst. Then your doctor may have you use the medicine less often.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If yoursymptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, checkwith your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any ofthe following side effects occur:
More common
Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritationin or around the eye not present before use of this medicine
Other sideeffects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effectsmay go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However,check with your doctor if either of the following side effects continues oris bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 10/16/1998
