Key takeaways
Erythromycin (Ilotycin) and Polytrim (polymyxin B/trimethoprim) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they have some key differences. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic available as an eye ointment, while Polytrim is a combination of polymyxin B and trimethoprim available as eye drops. Erythromycin is typically applied up to 6 times a day, whereas Polytrim is used every 3 hours while awake, up to 6 times a day. Erythromycin is often used to prevent pink eye in newborns, while Polytrim is used for treating mild-to-moderate eye infections in individuals aged 2 months and older. Erythromycin can cause mild eye irritation and blurry vision, while Polytrim may cause eye irritation, redness, and increased light sensitivity. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics and should be used exactly as prescribed to avoid worsening the infection.
