Neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone Ophthalmic

In the U.S.

• Cortisporin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Aminoglycoside/Corticosteroid Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

Chemical Class: Neomycin

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone is a combination antibiotic and cortisone-like medicine. It is used to treat infections of the eye and to help provide relief from redness, irritation, and discomfort of certain eye problems. It is also used to help prevent permanent damage of certain eye problems.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination is available only with your doctor's prescription.

The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Then tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch 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 to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone 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 hydrocortisone 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 hydrocortisone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For eye infection:
  • For ophthalmic suspension dosage forms:
    • Adults—One or two drops every three or four hours.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone, 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

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

Ocular inflammatory conditions: Children (off-label use): Ophthalmic: Instill 1 to 2 drops 3 to 4 hours into affected eye(s) has been used by some centers; dosing based on experience with other combination ophthalmic products with similar ingredients

• Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)

• Have patient report immediately to prescriber vision changes, eye pain, or severe eye irritation (HCAHPS).

• Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.

Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience, and judgment in diagnosing, treating, and advising patients.

Do not use neomycin, polymyxin B and hydrocortisone ophthalmic if you have a viral or fungal infection in your eye. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria only.

It is not known whether neomycin, polymyxin B and hydrocortisone ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether neomycin, polymyxin B and hydrocortisone ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.