Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol
About
Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol belongs to a combination of medicines called 'antibiotics' primarily used to treat bacterial infections of the eye (optic) and ear (otic). Bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol does not work against infections caused by viruses and fungus.
Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol is a combination of two antibiotics, namely: Polymyxin B and Chloramphenicol. Polymyxin B is bactericidal, which kills the bacteria by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls essential for their survival. Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic, which prevents bacterial growth by inhibiting the production of essential proteins necessary for the growth, and multiplication of the bacteria. Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol prevents the spread of eye and ear infections caused by a wide range of gram-negative bacteria causing eye/ear infections.
Use Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine is only for use in the eyes. Do not swallow or inject Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol. You are advised to use this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience redness, itching, irritation, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, eyelid swelling, itching, or crusting as side effects. Most of these side effects of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if any of these side effects worsen or persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol or any other medicines, please inform your doctor. Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol should be used with caution in children. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol. You are recommended not to use contact lenses during the course of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol as it may worsen the infection. If you get any new eye problem, an eye infection, or notice any allergic reactions such as itching or redness of the eye and skin rash, please consult your doctor immediately. You are advised to maintain a 10 minutes time gap between using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and other eye drops. Please do not contact the container tip to the eye, eyelids, or surrounding areas as it may contaminate Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and cause eye infections.
Uses of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol
Medicinal Benefits
Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol is a combination of two antibiotics: Polymyxin B and Chloramphenicol. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye like conjunctivitis and ear infections like otitis media. Polymyxin B is bactericidal (kills bacteria) in nature, inhibiting bacterial cell wall formation required for their survival. Thus, it prevents the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stops the leakage of cell contents. Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic (prevents bacteria growth) in nature with excellent eye penetration and exhibits broad-spectrum coverage against various bacteria, which causes eye/ear infections by preventing the protein synthesis process required for the survival of the bacteria causing eye/ear infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol
- Redness in eyes
- Itching eyes
- Irritation, burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eyelid swelling
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol should be used with caution in children. You are advised to consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. You are recommended not to use contact lenses during the course of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol as it may worsen the infection. If you get any new eye problem, an eye infection, or notice any allergic reactions such as itching or redness of the eye and skin rash, please consult your doctor immediately. You are advised to maintain 10 minutes time gap between using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and other eye drops. Please do not touch the container tip to the eye, eyelids, or surrounding areas as it may contaminate Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and cause eye infections.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug- Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have epithelial herpes keratitis, viral diseases of conjunctiva and cornea, fungal diseases of ocular structures, mycobacterial infections of the eye, vaccinia (virus) or varicella (chickenpox), inform your doctor before using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol is unknown. However, consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol. Your doctor may prescribe Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother, as it is not known if Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol is excreted in human milk.
Driving
cautionPolymyxin B+chloramphenicol may cause blurred vision immediately after using it. So, wait until your vision is clear before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
cautionPolymyxin B+chloramphenicol should be used in children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
- Keep your clothes, towels and bedsheets separate from others.
- Maintain good hygiene of contact lenses. Wash your hands thoroughly before wearing and after removing contact lenses.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming. In case you use them mistakenly, get a new pair.
- Wear protective eye gear if you are cycling or trekking through the forest.
- If you have irritation in the eyes, avoid rubbing them.
Special Advise
Please consult an eye specialist if your eye infection persists or worsens even after using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol for a week.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis or pink eye is the infection and inflammation of the transparent layer (conjunctiva) that lines the eyelid and covers the white part of the eyeball. It causes bacterial infection thereby causing inflamed conjunctiva, making the white part of the eyeball look pink in colour.
FAQs
Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol contains Polymyxin B and Chloramphenicol. Polymyxin B works by inhibiting the formation of bacterial cell walls, which are necessary for survival because they prevent unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the leakage of cell contents. Chloramphenicol inhibits the production of essential proteins required for bacteria to grow, multiply, and multiply. Bacteria are thus destroyed. They work together to relieve itching, pain, and discomfort in the eye caused by infection.
You are not recommended to use chymotrypsin while using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol as it may reduce the effectiveness of chymotrypsin (used during cataract surgery). However, please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol.
You are not recommended to wear contact lenses during the entire course of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol as it may worsen the infection. Therefore, you are advised to remove contact lenses before using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and reinsert them after 24 hours of finishing the course of Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol.
You are recommended to maintain a minimum of 10 minutes time gap between using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol and other eye drops and administer eye ointments in the last.
Yes, Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol may cause temporary blurred vision. Therefore, you are recommended to wait until your vision is clear before driving or operating heavy machinery.
You are not recommended to stop using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol without consulting your doctor as it may increase pressure in the eyes and may lead to loss of vision. Therefore, use Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while using Polymyxin B+chloramphenicol, please consult your doctor.
