bacitracin / polymyxin B
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.
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.
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What are the side effects of Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?
Common Side Effects
Other Side Effects
- Temporary irritation
- Itching, redness, or swelling (allergic reaction)
Serious Side Effects
- 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:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Eye irritation or itching
Pros and cons of Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
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
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 for Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
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.
Frequently asked questions about Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
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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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
How much does Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) cost?
What are alternatives to Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?
Bacterial infections of the eye or eyelid
Ak-Poly-Bac (bacitracin / polymyxin B) images
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