Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Hydrocortisone

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• Neomycin and polymixin are antibiotics used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
• Hydrocortisone is used to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, and itching.
• The eye drops are used in steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions in which hydrocortisone is indicated and where bacterial infection or a risk of bacterial infection exists.
• The ear solution is used for the treatment of bacterial infections of the external ear canal.
• The ear suspension is used for infections of mastoidectomy and fenestration cavities.
• The skin cream is used to help prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and to treat itching, swelling, or irritation.

How does it work?

• Neomycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
• Polymixin makes some of the manufacturing cells in the bacteria leaky.
• Hydrocortisone prevents/reduces irritation and swelling.

How is it best taken?

• Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

Skin:

• Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected area before use.
• Use in a small amount over the area affected as a light film. Rub in gently.
• Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area unless told to do so by healthcare provider.

Eye:

• For the eye only.
• Shake well first.
• Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
• Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
• After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.

Ear:

• For the ear only. Shake suspension well first.
• Wash hands before and after applying.
• Lie on side with affected ear up.
• For adults, hold the ear lobe up and back.
• For children, hold ear down and back.
• Instill drops in ear without touching dropper to ear. Stay on side for 2 minutes or insert cotton plug into ear.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

Skin and Ear:

• Burning, itching, redness, dryness.

Eye:

• Bright lights may be irritating. Keep sunglasses with you.
• Blurred vision. Use caution when driving, or doing tasks that need clear vision.
• Stinging after putting drops in eye.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved