Neomycin (nee-oh-MYE-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Neomycin ophthalmic preparations are used to treat infections of the eye.
Neomycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Ophthalmic ointment
Before Using This Medicine
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 neomycin ophthalmic preparations, the following should be considered:
Allergies- Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to any related antibiotic, such as amikacin (e.g., Amikin), gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin (e.g., Kantrex), netilmicin (e.g., Netromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (e.g., Nebcin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy- Neomycin ophthalmic preparations have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding- Neomycin ophthalmic preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children- Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of neomycin in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults- 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 in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Proper Use of This Medicine
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. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately ⅓-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using neomycin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube 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 ophthalmic neomycin 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 ophthalmic neomycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For eye infection:
For eye ointment dosage form:
Adults and children-Use in the eye every eight to twenty-four hours.
Missed dose-
Storage-
To store this medicine:
Store away from heat and direct light.
Keep the medicine from freezing.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine
Other 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. However, check with your doctor if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:
Burning or stinging
After application, eye ointments may be expected to cause your vision to blur for a few minutes.