What is this medication?
NEOMYCIN; POLYMYXIN B; BACITRACIN; HYDROCORTISONE (nee oh MYE sin; pol i MIX in bee; bass i TRAY sin; hye droe KOR ti sone) helps to reduce swelling, redness, and itching of the eyes. It is also used to treat eye infections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): AK-Spore HC, AK-Spore HC Ophthalmic, Cortisporin, Cortomycin, Neo-Polycin HC, Ocu-Cort
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
How should I use this medication?
This medicine is only for use in the eye. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the tube to your eye, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the end of the ointment tube to apply a thin layer of the ointment to the inside of the eyelid. Close the eye gently to spread the ointment. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course of medicine prescribed by your doctor or health care professional even if think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medication?
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other eye products without telling your doctor or health care professional.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Check with your doctor or health care professional if your condition does not get better after 2 days, or if it gets worse. Do not use longer than 10 days unless instructed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.
If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor or health care professional when you can use your lenses again.
A burning or stinging reaction that does not go away may mean you are allergic to this product. Stop using and call your doctor or health care professional.
This medicine can make certain eye conditions worse. Only use it for conditions for which your doctor or health care professional has prescribed.
To prevent the spread of infection, do not share eye products, towels, and washcloths with anyone else. Throw away any unused eye products.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Dosing & Uses
AdultPediatric
Dosage Forms & Strengths
bacitracin ophthalmic/neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone
ophthalmic ointment
- 400units/0.35%/10,000units/1%
Ocular Inflammation/Infection
Apply thin ribbon of ointment to conjunctival sac of affected eye(s) q3-4hr, depending on severity
Safety and efficacy not established
Frequency Not Defined
Allergies
Glaucoma
Rash
Superinfection (herpes)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensivity to neomycin
Glaucoma
Viral diseases of cornea and conjunctiva (epithelial herpes simplex keratitis, vaccinia, varicella)
Mycobacterial infection of eye & fungal diseases of ocular structures
Cautions
Not used much, because of hypersensitivity reactions to neomycin; also, because of steroid component, adequate follow up is essential
Prolonged use or misuse of ocular corticosteroid may result in glaucoma, superinfection (herpes) etc
Newer agents have better steroid & antibiotic coverage
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lacation: Unknown
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Bacitracin: Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by preventing the incorporation of amino acids and nucleotides into the cell wall
Neomycin: Interferes with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunits
Polymyxin B: Bactericidal; causes leakage of bacterial membrane
Hydrocortisone: Decrease inflammation by stabilizing leukocyte lysosomal membranes, preventing release of destructive acid hydrolases from leukocytes
Images
No images available for this drug.
Patient Handout
A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
Formulary
FormularyPatient Discounts
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.
Adding plans allows you to:
- View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.
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- Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.
The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.
View explanations for tiers and restrictions
| 1 | This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs. |
| 2 | This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs. |
| 3 | This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs. |
| 4 | This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. |
| 5 | This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. |
| 6 | This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. |
| NC | NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan. |
| PA | Prior Authorization Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription. |
| QL | Quantity Limits Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered. |
| ST | Step Therapy Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription. |
| OR | Other Restrictions Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription. |
Non-Medicare Plans Medicare Plans
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.