Neomycin, Polymyxin, and Bacitracin Topical

Why this is used

Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination is used to prevent minor skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and burns from becoming infected. Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin are in a class of medications called antibiotics. Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

How to take it

Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination comes as an ointment to apply to the skin. It is usually used one to three times a day. Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin ointment is available without a prescription. However, your doctor may give you special directions on the proper use of this medication for your medical problem. Follow the directions on the package or those given to you by your doctor carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor or written on the package. This medication is for use only on the skin. Do not let neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination get into your eyes, nose, or mouth and do not swallow it. You may use neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination to treat minor skin injuries. However, you should not use this medication to treat deep cuts, puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns, or any injuries that affect large areas of your body. You should call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have these types of injuries. A different treatment may be needed. You should also stop using this medication and call your doctor if you use this medication to treat a minor skin injury and your symptoms do not go away within 1 week. Do not apply this medication to a child's diaper area, especially if the skin surface is broken or raw, unless told to do so by a doctor. If you are told to apply it to a child's diaper area, do not use tightly fitting diapers or plastic pants. To use the ointment, follow these steps:

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Wash your hands well with soap and water. Wash the injured area with soap and water and pat dry thoroughly with a clean towel.</li>
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Apply a small amount of the ointment (an amount equal to the size of your finger tip) to the injured skin. A thin layer is all that is needed. Do not touch the tip of the tube to your skin, hands, or anything else.</li>
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Replace and tighten the cap right away.</li>
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You may cover the affected area with a sterile bandage.</li>
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Wash your hands again.</li></ul>

Side effects

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination may cause side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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skin pain, irritation, burning, swelling, or redness</li>
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itching</li>
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rash</li>
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hives</li>
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red, scaly patches on skin</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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chest tightness</li>
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faintness</li>
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dizziness</li></ul>Neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Precautions

Before using neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin combination, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to neomycin (Myciguent, others); polymyxin; bacitracin (Baciguent, others); aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), paromomycin (Humatin), and tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi); zinc; or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), paromomycin (Humatin), and tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hearing problems or kidney disease.

Overdose

You should not swallow neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin ointment. If someone does swallow this medication, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Neomycin, Polymyxin, and Bacitracin Topical.