Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B
About Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B
Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is an ophthalmic medication that belongs to the class of 'antibiotics' and is primarily used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) of the eye), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and cornea), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and blepharoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and eyelids). Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and cause illness.
Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is composed of three antibiotic medicines: Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Bacitracin works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. Neomycin prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Polymyxin B destroys bacterial membranes and causes the loss of essential metabolites in bacteria. Thus, Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B helps treat bacterial eye infections.
Common side effects of Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B include itching, redness of the eye, stinging/burning sensation, temporary blurred vision, and eye irritation. These side effects may not occur in every patient using this medication and may differ individually. If the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B or any other medications. To prevent contamination, avoid contact with the eye, eyelids, fingers, and other surfaces of the dispensing container. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B. This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision; hence, drive only when you are alert and have clear vision. Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is recommended for children only if advised by a doctor.
Uses of Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B
• Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis: Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is used to treat inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection.
• Management of keratitis: Treat bacterial infections of the cornea, reducing pain, redness, and vision disruption.
• Treatment of keratoconjunctivitis: Reduces bacterial-induced inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva.
• Management of blepharitis: Treats bacterial inflammation of the eyelids, helping reduce redness, irritation, and crusting.
• Treatment of blepharoconjunctivitis: Used to relieve infections that affect both the eyelids and conjunctiva simultaneously.
• Prevents bacterial growth: Prevents growth of bacteria by providing broad-spectrum antibiotic protection against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
Medicinal Benefits
Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is composed of three antibiotic medicines, namely Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Bacitracin is a bacteriostatic medicine (stops the growth or reproduction of bacteria) that works by inhibiting the bacterial cell wall synthesis. 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. Together, Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B helps treat bacterial eye infections.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket and squeeze the prescribed amount of medicine into the pocket. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Avoid touching the tip of the applicator to your eyes, fingertips, or other surfaces to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B
- Itching
- Redness of the eye
- Stinging/burning sensation
- Temporary blurred vision
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions to Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B. If you wear contact lenses, remove them while administering the medicine to the eye. It is advised to check with your doctor before using Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machines since Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B may temporarily blur your vision. Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B should not be used in children unless advised by a doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: No interactions were found.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions were found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to antibiotic eye medicines before taking Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B with alcohol is unknown. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant or if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will recommend only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited information on how Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before taking Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionBacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause side effects like 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 disease or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B.
Children
cautionBacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B is not recommended for children, as its safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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.
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- If you wear contact lenses, Clean and replace them more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens.
- Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
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+neomycin+polymyxin B is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) of the eye), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and cornea), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and blepharoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and eyelids).
Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B consists of antibiotic medications, namely: Bacitracin, Neomycin and Polymyxin B. It inhibits bacterial growth by causing damage to their cell walls and prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out their vital functions.
Avoid wearing contact lens while using Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B. It is advised to wear spectacles until the infection is cleared.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Bacitracin+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 eye ointment.
Prolonged use of eye ointment can cause an overgrowth of other microorganisms, like fungi, and bacterial resistance.
Avoid contact of the tube tip with fingers, eyes, and eyelids while using Bacitracin+neomycin+polymyxin B. Topical eye products, when contaminated by patients with eye diseases, may cause bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea) and ocular infections (eye infections).
