Cortisporin (Ophthalmic)
Generic name: neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone [ nee-oh-MYE-sin-SUL-fate, pol-ee-MIX-in-B-SUL-fate, hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone ]
Drug class: Ophthalmic steroids with anti-infectives
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2024.
Uses for Cortisporin
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.
Before using Cortisporin
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 this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Desmopressin
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Alcuronium
- Aldesleukin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Aspirin
- Atazanavir
- Atracurium
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Besifloxacin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bupropion
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Cidofovir
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cisatracurium
- Clonixin
- Cobicistat
- Colistimethate Sodium
- Conivaptan
- Darunavir
- Decamethonium
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Doxacurium
- Droxicam
- Emtricitabine
- Enoxacin
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Fazadinium
- Fedratinib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Fexinidazole
- Fleroxacin
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flumequine
- Flurbiprofen
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Furosemide
- Gallamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Hexafluorenium
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Itraconazole
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lenacapavir
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Mavacamten
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Metocurine
- Mivacurium
- Morniflumate
- Moxifloxacin
- Nabumetone
- Nadifloxacin
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Netupitant
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Omaveloxolone
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Pancuronium
- Parecoxib
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Phenobarbital
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Pipecuronium
- Piroxicam
- Pranoprofen
- Primidone
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Prulifloxacin
- Rapacuronium
- Rocuronium
- Rofecoxib
- Rufloxacin
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sargramostim
- Sodium Salicylate
- Somatrogon-ghla
- Sorafenib
- Sparfloxacin
- Sulindac
- Tacrolimus
- Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Tosufloxacin
- Tubocurarine
- Valdecoxib
- Vecuronium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alcuronium
- Atracurium
- Auranofin
- Bumetanide
- Colestipol
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Licorice
- Metocurine
- Rifapentine
- Saiboku-To
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Any other eye infection or condition or
- Glaucoma—Use of neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone ophthalmic drops may make the condition worse
- Cataract surgery, recent—Use of neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone ophthalmic drops may delay healing or cause other problems
Proper use of Cortisporin
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 this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. 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.
- For ophthalmic suspension dosage forms:
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
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.
Related/similar drugs
prednisone, diclofenac ophthalmic, ciprofloxacin ophthalmic, azithromycin ophthalmic, dexamethasone ophthalmic, triamcinolone ophthalmic, triamcinolone, levofloxacin ophthalmic, prednisolone ophthalmic, erythromycin ophthalmic
Precautions while using Cortisporin
If you will be using this medicine for more than 10 days, your doctor should check your eyes at regular visits.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
If a rash or allergic reaction develops, you should check with your doctor right away.
You should not let anyone else use your medicine. It could cause infection to spread.
Do not use any leftover medicine for future eye problems without checking with your doctor first. This medicine should not be used on many different kinds of infection.
Side Effects of Cortisporin
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.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:
Rare
- Fainting
- lightheadedness (sudden and severe)
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing (severe)
- swelling around face
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine
Rare
- Blurred vision or other change in vision
- delayed healing of eye infection
Some 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Burning or stinging when applying medicine
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Cortisporin
Available Dosage Forms:
- Suspension
Therapeutic Class: Aminoglycoside/Corticosteroid Combination
Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid
Chemical Class: Neomycin
More about hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b ophthalmic
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- Drug class: ophthalmic steroids with anti-infectives
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Patient resources
- Hydrocortisone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic drug information
- Neomycin, polymyxin b, and hydrocortisone (Ophthalmic) (Advanced Reading)
- Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Hydrocortisone (Ophthalmic)
Professional resources
Other brands
Cortisporin Ophthalmic Suspension
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.