DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Eye Drops Suspension (NEE-oh-MYE-sin/POL-ee-MIX-in/HYE-droe-KOR-ti-sone)
Brand Name: Cortisporin Ophthalmic Suspension

Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is used for:

Treating eye infections and associated symptoms, including redness, irritation, and discomfort, caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is a combination of 2 antibiotics and a corticosteroid (hydrocortisone). The antibiotics work by slowing the growth of, or killing, sensitive bacteria on the eye. The corticosteroid reduces inflammation.

Do NOT use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension
• you have a fungal (eg, ringworm), viral (eg, herpes simplex, chickenpox, shingles), or mycobacterial infection of the eye

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diabetes, glaucoma, or thinning of the cornea or white of the eye

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension. Because little, if any, of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension:

Use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth.
• Shake well before each use.
• To prevent reinfection, wash your hands before and after using Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension.
• To use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
• Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension. Take care of your contact lenses as directed by the manufacturer. Check with your doctor before you use them.
• To clear up your infection completely, use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension only works against bacteria; it does not treat fungal or viral infections.
• Be sure to use Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Long-term use of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension may cause an increase in the pressure in your eyes. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than 10 days without checking with your doctor.
• Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension while you are pregnant. Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension.

Possible side effects of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning or stinging when you first put the medicine in your eye; dry, flaky skin; irritation; itching; redness; swelling.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; continued burning or itching; eye pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension:

Store Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension at 59 to 77 degrees F (15 to 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep the container tightly closed. Keep Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Neomycin/Polymyxin B/Hydrocortisone Drops Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.