dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Ophthalmic corticosteroid with two antibiotics.
Available forms
Eye-drop suspension and eye ointment.
Preparation
Shake the eye-drop suspension well before use. If using drops and ointment, apply the ointment last.
Contact lenses
Contact-lens wear is discouraged while an eye infection is being treated.
What is dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate used for?
It is licensed for steroid-responsive eye inflammation when preventive antibiotic treatment is also required. Viral, fungal, mycobacterial and untreated parasitic eye disease must first be excluded.
Inflammatory eye conditions that respond to a corticosteroid and also require antibacterial cover.
How does dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate work?
Dexamethasone suppresses inflammation in the eye. Neomycin blocks bacterial protein production, while polymyxin B disrupts the cell membrane of susceptible bacteria. The antibiotics do not treat viral or fungal infections.
How to take dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate
Use only in the eye and follow the product leaflet and prescriber's instructions. Food does not affect an eye preparation.
Wash and dry your hands before use.
For drops, shake the bottle, pull down the lower eyelid and place the drop into the pocket without touching the bottle tip to the eye, eyelid or another surface.
After using drops, gently close the eye and press the corner beside the nose to reduce absorption into the rest of the body.
For ointment, place it inside the lower-eyelid pocket without touching the tube tip to the eye or surrounding skin.
Replace the cap promptly. Administer other eye preparations separately and apply ointments last.
Wait until blurred vision has cleared before driving or using machinery.
dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye discomfort, irritation or itching
- Inflammation of the eye surface
- Temporary blurred vision, particularly after applying ointment
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial swelling or breathing difficulty
- Serious blistering or peeling skin reaction
- Raised eye pressure, glaucoma or cataract with prolonged exposure
- Corneal ulceration, thinning or perforation
- Worsening or newly established bacterial, viral or fungal infection
- Adrenal suppression or Cushing's syndrome, mainly with intensive or prolonged exposure
dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate in pregnancy
These products are not recommended during pregnancy because data are limited and they contain aminoglycoside antibiotics. A prescriber should assess whether an alternative is suitable. Gently closing the eye and pressing beside the nose after drops can reduce systemic absorption.
dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether the ingredients pass into breast milk after use in the eye, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The prescriber should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment and consider suitable alternatives or precautions.
dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate interactions
Tell the prescriber about other eye preparations and systemic medicines, particularly the following.
Ritonavir, cobicistat and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
They may increase systemic dexamethasone exposure and the risk of adrenal suppression or Cushing's syndrome.
Topical ophthalmic NSAIDs
Using them with an ocular corticosteroid may increase corneal healing problems.
Common questions about dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin b sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It treats steroid-responsive eye inflammation when antibacterial cover is also considered necessary, after important infectious causes have been excluded.
Is it an antibiotic or a steroid?
Both. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, while neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.