Uses for Neosporin

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin is a combination antibiotic medicine used to treat infections of the eye.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin combination is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Before using Neosporin

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 of this combination 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 neomycin, polymyxin B, and gramicidin 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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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.

Proper use of Neosporin

The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid 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 or dropper 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 infections:
  • For eye drops dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use one drop in the eye two to four times a day for seven to ten days. If you have a more serious infection, your doctor may want you to use one drop in the eye every fifteen to thirty minutes at first. Then your doctor may have you use the medicine less often.

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.

Precautions while using Neosporin

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of Neosporin

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.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation in or around the eye not present before use of this medicine

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 sensation in the eye

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

What is ofloxacin ophthalmic?

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic (for use in the eyes) is used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic is also used to treat an ulcer in the cornea of the eye.

Ofloxacin will not treat a viral or fungal infection of the eye.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using ofloxacin ophthalmic;
• eye pain;
• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection); or
• severe skin reaction–fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of ofloxacin ophthalmic may include:

• blurred vision;
• eye pain or
• mild burning, stinging, or other discomfort;
• eye redness, itching, or watering;
• red or puffy eyelids;
• your eyes being more sensitive to light; or
• eye dryness, feeling like something is in your eye.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use ofloxacin ophthalmic if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).

Do not use this medicine to treat a viral or fungal infection in the eye. Ofloxacin ophthalmic is for use in treating only bacterial infections of the eye.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether ofloxacin ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Ofloxacin eye drops (solution) are not approved for use by anyone younger than 1 year old.

How should I use ofloxacin ophthalmic?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Ofloxacin ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before putting in your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.
• Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
• Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between drops.
• Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

When treating a corneal ulcer, you may need to wake from sleep every 4 to 6 hours to use the medication. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. You may notice a whitish buildup on the ulcer. This is a sign that the medication is working and is not a harmful effect. This buildup should clear within a few days or weeks of treatment.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Ofloxacin ophthalmic dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

Days 1 and 2: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 2 to 4 hours.
Days 3 through 7: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 4 times a day.

Use: For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis due to susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus, S epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Usual Adult Dose for Corneal Ulcers:

Days 1 and 2: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 30 minutes while awake and about 4 and 6 hours after retiring.
Days 3 through 7 to 9: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every hour while awake.
Days 7 to 9 through treatment completion: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 4 times a day.

Use: For the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers due to susceptible strains of S aureus, S epidermidis, S pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Propionibacterium acnes

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

1 year or older:
-Days 1 and 2: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 2 to 4 hours.
-Days 3 through 7: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 4 times a day.

Use: For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis due to susceptible strains of S aureus, S epidermidis, S pneumoniae, E cloacae, H influenzae, P mirabilis, P aeruginosa

Usual Pediatric Dose for Corneal Ulcers:

1 year or older:
-Days 1 and 2: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 30 minutes while awake and about 4 and 6 hours after retiring.
-Days 3 through 7 to 9: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every hour while awake.
-Days 7 to 9 through treatment completion: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 4 times a day.

Use: For the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers due to susceptible strains of S aureus, S epidermidis, S pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, S marcescens, P acnes

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of ofloxacin ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What should I avoid while using ofloxacin ophthalmic?

Avoid wearing contact lenses until you no longer have symptoms of the eye infection.

ofloxacin ophthalmic may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

What other drugs will affect ofloxacin ophthalmic?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on ofloxacin used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.