Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
About Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B belongs to the class of ocular medications called ‘antibiotics’ to treat inflammation associated with bacterial eye infections. It treats eye infections like conjunctivitis (infected conjunctiva) and chronic anterior uveitis (long-term inflammation inside the front of your eye). It prevents the damage caused by any foreign objects entering the eye, such as chemicals.
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B contains Dexamethasone, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that inhibits prostaglandins (chemical substances) that cause inflammation and symptoms associated with infection such as redness and irritation. Neomycin and Polymyxin B are antibiotics. They are bactericidal and kill the bacteria by interfering with its growth.
You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B are application site burning/stinging sensation, redness, itching, irritation, and blurred vision. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, consult your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B if you are allergic to any contents of it. Do not use Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B if you have any untreated viral, fungal, or parasitic eye infection and untreated red eye. It is not advised to use in children below 2 years of age, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. It should be used with caution in elderly people. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may not interact with alcohol. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause blurred vision, which is temporary, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Uses of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
Medicinal Benefits
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is used for short-term treatment of eye inflammation. It is used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis (infected conjunctiva) and chronic anterior uveitis (long-term inflammation inside the front of your eye). Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is a combination of steroids and antibiotics. So, it can effectively reduce inflammation and infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
- Stinging or burning sensation in the eye
- Redness in the eye
- Itching
- Eye Irritation
- Blurred vision (temporary)
Drug Warnings
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is available for topical (for eye) use only. It should not be swallowed or injected. Before taking Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B, inform your doctor if you have a disorder that causes thinning of the eye tissues. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may increase the risk of infections in some patients, so inform your doctor if you notice eye pain, redness, or irritation that is persistent. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may delay healing of your eye wound, and the risk is high if you are taking topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Prolonged use of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause increased pressure in the eye, cataract (clouding of the eye) formation, and increased risk of infections, especially in diabetic patients. The risk for increased pressure in the eye is also high in children when used for the long term. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by swelling and weight gain around the trunk and face. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may suppress adrenal gland function when used for longer periods. The risk is high in children and individuals taking medicines to treat HIV, such as ritonavir and cobicistat. Consult your doctor if you notice persistent blurred vision or visual disturbances. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B contains benzalkonium chloride (a preservative), which may cause eye irritation, especially in patients with dry eyes or disorders of the cornea. So, if you experience a persistent stinging sensation or pain in the eye after taking this medicine, inform your doctor immediately. Benzalkonium may also react with contact lenses and change the color of lenses.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may interact with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (diclofenac and ketorolac), medicines used to treat HIV (ritonavir and cobicistat), medicines used to treat diabetes (insulin, metformin, and chlorpropamide, etc.).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used with caution in patients with untreated viral, fungal, or parasitic eye infection, untreated red-eye, diabetes, corneal disorders, and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may not interact with alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is a category C medicine. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause some side effects to the unborn baby or fetus, so it should not be used in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. So, please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause vision problems. However, it will be mild and temporary in nature. So, it is advisable to avoid driving until your vision becomes normal.
Liver
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be used for treating eye infections in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be used for treating eye infections in patients with kidney diseases.
Children
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used in children above 2 years of age only if clinically needed. It is not recommended for use in children below 2 years as safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Sleep for at least six to eight hours to rejuvenate your eyes naturally.
- Wash your eyes with clean water at least two to three times a day. Do not wash your eyes if you have undergone any eye surgery for at least 2 weeks.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages as they can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This effect can also affect your body’s ability to fight off infections.
Special Advise
- It is advised not to wear contact lenses while using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B. So, remove contact lenses before using this medicine and wear them back after 15 minutes.
- If you are prescribed other eye drops along with Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B, maintain an interval of 5 minutes to avoid dilution. In general, eye ointment should be taken last.
- If you take more than the prescribed drops, wash it out of your eye with warm water.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infections: These are the common eye problems seen in a primary care setting. The common bacterial eye infections are conjunctivitis, stye, or keratitis. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva (white part of the eye) and the inner eyelid. It is a highly contagious infection that is spread by secretions of the eye. Symptoms include redness, itch, and discharge or crusting around the eye. A stye, a bump on the eyelid, is also a common eye condition. Keratitis, inflammation of the cornea, occurs due to frequent contact lenses, injury, diabetes, or surgery. Chronic anterior uveitis is the long-term inflammation inside the front of your eye.
FAQs
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B contains Dexamethasone, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that inhibits prostaglandins (chemical substances) that cause inflammation and symptoms associated with infection such as redness and irritation. Neomycin and Polymyxin B are antibiotics. They are bactericidal and kill the bacteria by interfering with its growth.
Inform your doctor before using any medications while taking Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B. If your doctor advises you to take other eye drops along with Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B, maintain an interval of at least 5 minutes between two eye drops. Also, eye ointments should be used last.
The side-effects of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B are mild and temporary. It may cause application-site effects such as redness, irritation, itching, or burning sensation. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Do not wear contact lenses while using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B contains a preservative that may cause discoloration of the lenses. So, you should remove lenses before using this medicine and put them back after 15 minutes.
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used with caution in patients with diabetes as this medicine may alter blood sugar levels by interfering with the action of anti-diabetic medicines. In addition, prolonged use may cause cataracts (clouding of the eye), increase pressure in the eye, and increase the risk of infections in diabetic patients.
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is generally prescribed for shorter durations and improves symptoms within 3 to 5 days. However, take this medicine for a duration recommended by your doctor. Please do not use it for more than the recommended duration as it contains dexamethasone, which is a steroid and can cause unwanted side effects.