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Bacitracin / Polymyxin B Coupon - Bacitracin / Polymyxin B 3.5g tube of ointment

bacitracin / polymyxin B

Generic Ak-Poly-Bac
Used for Eye Infection, Bacterial Infection
Used for Eye Infection, Bacterial Infection

Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a combination antibiotic eye ointment that treats bacterial eye infections. It's affordable, but it must be used many times a day for the best effect.

Last reviewed on August 27, 2021
basics-icon

What is Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?

What is Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) used for?

  • Bacterial eye infections

How Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) works

Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a combination of two antibiotics: bacitracin and polymyxin B. These two medications work together to kill bacteria by making the bacteria's protective covering weaker.

Are you looking for information on Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) topical ointment instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAk-Poly-Bac, Polycin
Drug ClassAntibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription or over-the-counter
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Avg retail price
$27.990
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What are the side effects of Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

See Risks and Warnings.

Other Side Effects

  • Temporary irritation
  • Itching, redness, or swelling (allergic reaction)

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Allergic reaction: itching, redness, swelling, difficulty breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)

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Pros

Treats various bacterial eye infections

The AK-Poly-Bac brand doesn't contain preservatives.

Causes few side effects

Available as a lower-cost, generic form

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Cons

Must be used every 3 to 4 hours

Tends to be messy and harder to put in the eye compared to eye drops

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)

pharmacist
  • Be sure to use Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) for the full amount of time your healthcare provider instructs, even if you start to feel better. Stopping Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat.

    • Wash your hands before and after using Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B). Don't touch the tip of the container with your eye, hands, or any other surface. This will help you avoid contaminating the medication and making your eye infection worse.

      • How to apply the eye ointment: Gently pull down your lower eyelid, and put the ointment into the space between your eyelid and eyeball. Then, let go of the eyelid and close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes so the medication is able to reach all the necessary parts of the eye. If you want to wipe off extra ointment or greasiness on the outside the eye, do it carefully and make sure you're using a clean tissue.

        • Since it's an ointment, Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) can cause blurry vision, but this should only last a couple minutes.

          • Do not put any other medications in the eye for at least 5 to 10 minutes before or after Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B).

            • It's best not to wear contacts while you have an eye infection, since this can affect how quickly your symptoms improve. Be sure to throw away the contacts you were wearing before you started using Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B), as they most likely have bacteria on them. Wear new contacts once your infection is cleared up.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)

              What is Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) used for?
              Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is used to treat bacterial infections on the outside surface of the eye. It does not work for fungal or viral infections or for deeper eye infections (such as infection in the eyeball).
              Is Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) available over-the-counter?
              Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) eye ointment is not available over-the-counter. All antibiotic eyedrops and ointments require a prescription from a provider. Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B), the topical ointment with the same ingredients used for preventing skin, is available over-the-counter.
              Is Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) a steroid?
              Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is not a steroid or corticosteroid. It is an antibiotic. If you have a severe eye infection, your provider may prescribe an additional steroid medication to help with the swelling.
              Can Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) be used for pink eye?
              Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a good treatment for pink eye if it is due to a bacterial infection. Keep in mind that pink eye may also be due to a viral infection, which Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) won't be able to treat. If you have an eye infection, it's best to get it diagnosed by a healthcare provider so that you get the right treatment for it.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?

              Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Slower healing

              If you have an injury or infection of the cornea (the front protective layer of the eye), using eye ointments like Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) can slow down the healing process. Your provider will help you decide if this medication is best for you.

              risk-warning

              New infection

              • Risk factors: Using Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) for too long

                It's possible to get a new infection from fungi or bacteria that are resistant to Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) after using this medication for a while. Don't use this medication longer than prescribed (it's usually recommended for 7 to 10 days). A new infection can also happen if you get germs on the medication container. This is why it's important to wash your hands before and after taking a dose and to not let the tip touch any surfaces, including your eye. Let your provider know if you notice symptoms of a new infection or if the original symptoms don't get better after using Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B).

                risk-warning

                Allergic reaction

                • Risk factors: Allergy to other antibiotics such as gentamicin

                  Mild irritation from eye medication is pretty normal, but let your provider know if you experience eye or eyelid itching, redness, or swelling, since this could mean that you're allergic to one of the medications in Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B). If you have had previous allergic reactions to antibiotics like gentamicin (Gentak), check with your provider or pharmacist before starting this medication.

                  dosage

                  Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) dosage forms

                  Typical dosing for Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)

                  Apply the ointment to the affected eye(s) every 3 or 4 hours for 7 to 10 days. Severe infections may require more frequent dosing and a longer treatment period.

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                  How much does Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) cost?

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                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
                  Used for:
                  • Bacterial eye infections

                  Used for:
                  • Bacterial infections of the eye or eyelid

                  $13.81 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Used for:
                  • Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye that's caused by a bacterial infection)

                  • Corneal ulcer (keratitis) that's caused by a bacterial infection - eye drops only

                  $10.49 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                  This medicine is White Tube Of Ointment.white - Bacitracin Zinc / Polymyxin B Sulfate 500unit-10000unit / g Ophthalmic Ointment

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