Consumer Drug Information

Bacitracin/
Polymyxin/
Neomycin Ointment

Generic Name: Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymyxin Eye Ointment (BAS-i-TRAY-sin/NEE-oh-MYE-sin/POL-ee-MIX-in)
Brand Name: Neocin

Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment is used for:

Treating eye infections caused by certain bacteria.

Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment is an antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of, or killing, sensitive bacteria on the eye.

Do NOT use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment
you have a fungal (eg, ringworm), viral (eg, herpes simplex, chickenpox, shingles), or mycobacterial infection of the eye

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment:

Some medical conditions may interact with Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment. Because little, if any, of Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment:

Use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment may be used around the eye or in the eye. To use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment in the eye, first, wash your hands. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from your eye to form a pouch. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into the pouch. After using Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment, gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. Wipe the applicator tip with a clean, dry tissue.
To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment. Take care of your contact lenses as directed by the manufacturer. Check with your doctor before you use them.
To prevent reinfection, wash your hands before and after using Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment.
To clear up your infection completely, use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment.

Important safety information:

Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment may cause blurred vision. Use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks if you cannot see clearly.
Be sure to use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
Long-term or repeated use of Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
If your symptoms do not get better within a few days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
Do not use Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment for future eye problems unless directed by your doctor.
Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment while you are pregnant. It is not known if Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment.

Possible side effects of Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; mild burning, irritation, or stinging.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; continued redness, burning, or itching; eye pain; secondary infection.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment:

Store Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Bacitracin/Polymyxin/Neomycin Ointment. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: September 3, 2008

Database Edition 08.3.1.003