Polymyxin B+neomycin+bacitracin+hydrocortisone
About Polymyxin B+neomycin+bacitracin+hydrocortisone
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B belongs to the class of 'antibiotics' and is primarily used to treat bacterial infections of the external eye and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)). Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and cause illness. Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B will not work for infections caused by fungi and viruses.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is composed of four medicines: Bacitracin, Hydrocortisone, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Bacitracin is a bacteriostatic medicine (stops the growth or reproduction of bacteria). It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Hydrocortisone belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It blocks the production of prostaglandins (chemical messengers) that make the affected area red, swollen and itchy. On the other hand, Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Polymyxin B, an antibiotic, destroys the bacterial membranes by binding to the phospholipids on the cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. This process of binding causes the loss of essential metabolites in bacteria.
Your doctor will advise the appropriate dose that suits your infection. Common side effects of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B include itching, redness, dryness, and eye irritation. These side effects may not occur in every patient using this medication and differ individually. If the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
Let your doctor know if you are sensitive to Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B or any other medications. Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease, myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disease), or Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder that affects movement) before using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B. Avoid contact of the dispensing container with the eye, eyelids, fingers, and other surfaces to prevent contamination. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Uses of Polymyxin B+neomycin+bacitracin+hydrocortisone
Medicinal Benefits
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B treats bacterial eye infections. It comprises four medicines, namely Bacitracin, Hydrocortisone, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Bacitracin is a bacteriostatic medicine (stops the growth or reproduction of bacteria) and works by inhibiting the bacterial cell wall synthesis. Bacitracin is active against many gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid and blocks prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that make the affected area red, swollen and itchy. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Polymyxin B, an antibiotic, destroys the bacterial membranes by binding to the phospholipids on cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. This process of binding causes the loss of essential metabolites in bacteria. It is bactericidal against most gram-negative bacteria and has no in-vitro activity against gram-positive bacteria.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Polymyxin B+neomycin+bacitracin+hydrocortisone
Itching
Redness
Dryness
Eye irritation
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are sensitive to Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B or any other medications. Let your doctor know if you have any kidney disease, myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disease), or Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder that affects movement) before using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B. Avoid contact of the dispensing container with the eye, eyelids, fingers, and other surfaces to prevent contamination. Let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant or are already pregnant and a lactating mother. Avoid driving or operating machines since the administration of eye ointment may cause temporary blurred vision for a while after use. Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor of all the medications you take, including any eye medicines, before you use Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Drug-Food Interaction: No drug-food interactions found/ established. However, avoiding fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeine can effectively manage bacterial infections.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart, liver and kidney diseases, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, and other eye problems before using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedNo interaction found/ established. Please consult your doctor before using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is advised to consult your doctor if you plan to conceive or already pregnant before starting Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B affects breastfed infants. Please consult your doctor before taking Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionBacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause side effects like temporary blurry vision, affecting your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Children
cautionBacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used for children only If it is prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- If you wear contact lenses: Clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens.
- Avoid staring at digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
Special Advise
It is advised to reach out to your doctor if the bacterial infection symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks of treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). A bacterial eye infection symptoms include red eyes, pain, swelling of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some very common eye infections are conjunctivitis (the inflammation and irritation of the eye's mucous membrane (conjunctiva), stye (bump on the eyelid), uveitis inflammation of the uvea (middle layer of the eye), marginal keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).
FAQs
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is used to treat bacterial infections of the external eye and uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)).
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B consists Bacitracin, Neomycin, Hydrocortisone, and Polymyxin B. Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B inhibits bacteria's growth by causing damage to its cell wall and prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out its vital functions. It also relieves itchiness and redness caused by the infection.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B based on the severity of your infection. It is advised to use Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B only for the prescribed period since long-term usage of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may increase the severity of side effects. Prolonged use of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B can cause an overgrowth of other microorganisms like fungi and develop bacterial resistance.
Please do not stop using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B on your own, even if the symptoms are relieved. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Continue the usage of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B until your course advised by the doctor is finished.
Avoid the contact of dropper or tip with fingers, eyes, and eyelids when you use eye ointment or eye drops of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B. Topical eye products, when contaminated by patients with eye diseases, bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea) and ocular infections (eye infections), may occur, which result in vision loss.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any ointments.
It is generally not recommended to apply cosmetic products to the affected area unless advised by the doctor.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be applied to the affected areas in or around the eyes and skin to treat bacterial infections. However, it is essential to use separate tubes for eye and skin infections to avoid contamination and maintain the efficacy of the treatment. Using the same tube for both areas may introduce bacteria from one site to another, potentially leading to further complications. Always follow your doctor's guidance when using this medication for different areas.
You should use Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B for as long as your doctor has prescribed, based on the severity of your condition. However, if your symptoms do not improve or worsen within 2 days after starting treatment, stop using Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B and contact your doctor. If you use this medicine for longer than 10 days, you may need frequent vision tests to check the pressure inside your eyes. Always follow your doctor's instructions for the best results.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause common side effects, such as itching, redness, dryness, and eye irritation. Usually, these fade away with time. In case these side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek your doctor's advice.
Overusing Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may increase the risk of side effects (such as eye irritation, redness, or dryness) and contribute to antibiotic resistance, making the treatment less effective. Prolonged use of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may also lead to decreased or blurred vision. To minimize these risks and get the potential benefits of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B, always follow the dosage and duration your doctor directs.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct light and moisture. Do not freeze it. Keep it out of reach of children.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is generally safe for short-term use on the skin to treat minor infections and inflammation. However, it should be used as directed by your doctor, as overuse or prolonged use may cause side effects like skin irritation. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns about the safety of Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be beneficial and harmful, depending on its use. It can effectively treat eye infections and inflammation, but improper use or overuse may lead to side effects. Following your doctor’s advice for safe and effective use is important.
Wash your hands thoroughly before applying Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B to your eye to avoid contamination. Do not touch the tip of the ointment tube or allow it to touch your eye or any other surface. Tilt your head back, look upward, and create a pouch by pulling your lower eyelid down. Gently squeeze the tube to place a 1/2-inch strip of ointment into the pouch. Close your eye and roll your eyeball to help spread the medication. Avoid blinking or rubbing your eyes. After use, wipe the tip of the tube with a clean tissue and tightly close the cap.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B should not be used by patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients. It should be avoided by individuals with fungal or viral eye infections, including herpes simplex. It is also not recommended for use by children under 18 years old.
To achieve the maximum benefits, you should apply Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B at the time and for the duration prescribed by your doctor. It is typically applied every 3-4 hours, around the same time each day, until the prescribed course of treatment is complete.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is not recommended for treating pimples. It is specifically formulated for eye infections and may not be effective or safe for pimples. Additionally, Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause skin irritation or worsen acne. Please consult your doctor for the appropriate treatment of pimples.
Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B specifically is not a steroid. However, it contains hydrocortisone, which is a steroid. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that effectively reduces inflammation, while the other ingredients in Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B are antibiotics. Therefore, Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B has both steroid and antibiotic properties.
No, Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is not an antifungal. It is a combination of three antibiotics (Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B) and an anti-inflammatory (Hydrocortisone) used to treat bacterial infections and reduce eye inflammation. These ingredients do not address fungal infections.
Yes, Bacitracin+hydrocortisone+neomycin+polymyxin B is commonly used to treat minor skin and eye infections, including those caused by cuts, burns, and radiation. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially for more profound or severe wounds.
