Just like in starting any treatment, you need to discuss, with your physician, the risks and benefits of using the neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination.
You also need to get tested for allergies to this medication and its ingredients or components. Also, inform your doctor if you have allergies to any other medications, food dyes, preservatives, and/or animals.
Age-related factors also need to be considered prior to starting this medication. There have been no studies regarding the effects of this medication on children. This medication has demonstrated a similar mechanism of action and side effects in younger adults and elderly patients.
Ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination has a pregnancy category of C, which means there hasn’t been enough research done regarding its effect on pregnant women and the unborn child. The same goes for breastfeeding. Talk to your physician about the pros and cons of using this medication while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Other medications may interact with the ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination. This drug should not be used simultaneously with amifampridine and live rotavirus vaccine.
Use of the following medications with the ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination is not usually recommended but can be necessary at times. These medications include alcuronium, aldesleukin, atracurium, bupropion, cidofovir, colistimethate sodium, decamethonium, ethacrynic acid, fazadinium, gallamine, hexafluorenium, metocurine, pancuronium, pixantrone, sorafenib, topotecan, and vecuronium, among others. For a full list, consult your doctor.
The following medications can increase certain side effects when used concomitantly with the ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination: alcuronium, balofloxacin, besifloxacin, bumetanide, ciprofloxacin, doxacurium, enoxacin, fazadinium, gallamine, hexafluorenium, levofloxacin, metocurine, mivacurium, norfloxacin, pazufloxacin, primidone, rifapentine, sparfloxacin, tosufloxacin, tubocurarine, vecuronium and more. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of those medications. He/she may have to adjust the dosage or timing of one or both drugs.
Also, discuss with your healthcare provider the importance of avoiding alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
Treatment with the neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination may worsen your condition if you have glaucoma or have recently undergone cataract surgery.
For the proper use of this medication, ask your physician to demonstrate the following steps.
- Wash your hands before administering any kind of medication.
- Tilt back your head and pull down your lower lid.
- Drop the medication into the pouch that was formed by pulling down the lower eyelid, and close your eyes gently.
- Keep your eyes closed for at most 2 minutes so the medication can reach the affected area.
- If you were not able to administer the drop successfully, repeat the steps mentioned above.
Keep your drops sterile. Do not let the applicator tip touch your eye or any other surface, and keep it closed when not in use.
Follow your physician’s orders regarding dosing, frequency, and treatment period. The dosage for adults is usually 1 to 2 drops every 3 or 4 hours. A child’s dose is to be calculated by the physician.
Administer a missed dose as soon as you remember. However, skip it if it’s close to the next dose. Follow the normal timing instead. Keep your drops away from children’s reach.
You need to keep your appointments with your doctor in order to efficiently monitor your condition especially if you have to use this medication for over 10 days.
Also, inform your physician as soon as possible if you develop allergic reactions or your symptoms get worse.
Do not let anyone else use your drops.
If eye problems recur, do not use your old drops without asking your doctor first.
The neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination is only to be used with the specific infection that needs treatment.
Although serious side effects do not usually occur when using the ophthalmic neomycin, polymyxin B, and hydrocortisone combination, you should still monitor your condition for any untoward symptoms.
Seek medical attention right away if you experience the following: fainting, shortness of breath, facial swelling, and lightheadedness (sudden and severe).
Call your doctor immediately if you have new itching, rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation, blurred vision, and delayed healing of eye infection.
Some effects may not need treatment and will go away on their own. However, consult your physician if these do not improve or become worse. You can also ask questions about how to prevent these effects from occurring.
Also, if you experience side effects that are not mentioned here, consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
