dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B (ophthalmic)
Pronunciation: DEX a METH a sone, NEE oh MYE sin, and POL ee MIX in B, off THAL mik
Brand: Maxitrol, Ocu-Trol, Poly-Dex
What is the most important information I should know about this medicine?
You should not use this medicine if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).
What is dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic?
Dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination antibiotic and steroid medicine that is used to treat eye inflammation caused by uveitis, eye injury, radiation, chemical burns, or certain other conditions.
This medicine is used when there is a risk of bacterial infection in or around the eye.
Dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using this medicine?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dexamethasone, neomycin, or polymyxin B, or if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- glaucoma;
- cataracts, or if you need cataract surgery; or
- an allergic reaction to a medicine like neomycin (such as kanamycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, or gentamicin).
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
How should I use this medicine?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Wash your hands before using eye medication.
To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
To apply the ointment: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment from the tube into this pocket. Blink your eye gently and then keep it closed for 1 or 2 minutes. Wipe excess ointment from your eyelashes using a clean tissue.
Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or ointment tube, or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated tip can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment.
If you use this medicine for longer than 10 days, you may need frequent vision tests to check the pressure inside your eyes.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use. Store the eye drops in an upright position.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
What should I avoid while using this medicine?
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection);
- pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes; or
- a wound that will not heal.
Common side effects may include:
- blurred vision; or
- mild eye irritation.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect this medicine?
Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B ophthalmic.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 11/28/2018.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.