Brand Names

Category

• Antibacterial, ophthalmic

Description

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin (nee-oh-MYE-sin, pol-i-MIX-in bee, and gram-i-SYE-din) is a combination antibiotic medicine used to treat infections of the eye.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination is available only with your 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 will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin ophthalmic drops, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic 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-Mycin S), 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 any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy--Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding--Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this combination in children with use in other age groups.

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 neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin ophthalmic combination 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 neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin 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 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--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 sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with 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 may need medical attention.

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

More common

Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation in or around the eye not present before use of this medicine

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:

Less common

Burning or stinging sensation in the eye

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 06/21/94
Interim revision: 10/16/98

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