Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Prednisolone

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• Neomycin and polymixin B are antibiotics used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
• Prednisolone 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.

How does it work?

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

How is it best taken?

• For the eye only.
• Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
• 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.
• Do not touch the bottle tip to eye, lid, or other skin.
• Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Instill 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 instill 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?

• 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).

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