DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Bacitracin/Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin Ointment (BAS-i-TRAY-sin/HYE-droe-KOR-ti-sone/NEE-oh-MYE-sin/POL-ee-MIX-in)
Brand Name: Cortisporin

Cortisporin Ointment is used for:

Treating steroid-sensitive skin disorders that have a secondary infection caused by bacteria.

Cortisporin Ointment is a combination of 3 antibiotics and a corticosteroid. The antibiotics kill the bacteria and hydrocortisone reduces inflammation.

Do NOT use Cortisporin Ointment if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cortisporin Ointment
• you have a fungal (eg, ringworm), viral (eg, herpes simplex, chickenpox), or tuberculosis (TB) infection of the skin

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

Before using Cortisporin Ointment:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cortisporin Ointment. 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 recently received or will be receiving a vaccine, or you have had a positive TB skin test
• if you have thinning of the skin

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cortisporin Ointment. Because little, if any, of Cortisporin Ointment is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Cortisporin Ointment 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 Cortisporin Ointment:

Use Cortisporin Ointment as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Cortisporin Ointment is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
• Before using Cortisporin Ointment, clean the affected area. Apply a small amount of Cortisporin Ointment (an amount equal to the surface of the tip of a finger) on the area as directed. The treated area may be covered with a clean bandage.
• To clear up your infection completely, use Cortisporin Ointment for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Cortisporin Ointment, 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 Cortisporin Ointment.

Important safety information:

• Cortisporin Ointment only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Be sure to use Cortisporin Ointment 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.
• If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Long-term or repeated use of Cortisporin Ointment 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.
• Cortisporin Ointment should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Cortisporin Ointment.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cortisporin Ointment while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cortisporin Ointment is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Cortisporin Ointment, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cortisporin Ointment:

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, dryness, or itching of skin; worsening of condition.

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); hearing or kidney problems; second infection.

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 Cortisporin Ointment:

Store Cortisporin Ointment at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Cortisporin Ointment out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cortisporin Ointment, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cortisporin Ointment 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 Cortisporin Ointment. 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.