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Compare Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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.

  • Erythromycin eye ointment
    Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
  • Erythromycin eye ointment
    Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)

  • Summary of Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Erythromycin eye ointment is used to treat and prevent various bacterial eye infections, including pink eye in newborns. The typical dosage for this medication is to apply it in the affected eye(s) up to 6 times a day. Most people experience few to no side effects while using erythromycin eye ointment as directed.

    Summary for Antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is a combination antibiotic eye drop. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate bacterial eye infections, such as pink eye, in adults and children ages 2 months and older. The typical dose is 1 drop applied directly in the eye(s) every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days. Some of the more common side effects of this eye drop include symptoms of eye irritation, such as redness, stinging, and itching. Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is available as a lower-cost generic.

  • Indications of Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Indications for
    •Bacterial eye infection
    •To prevent pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns who might be exposed to certain sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) from their mothers during birth
    Indications for
    •Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and eyelid

  • Pros and Cons of Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
    •Can use in newborns
    •Generally well-tolerated with mild side effects
    Cons
    •Might need to be used up to 6 times a day
    •Only treats some bacterial eye infections; it doesn't treat fungal or viral infections
    •Harder to apply than eye drops
    •Can temporarily cause blurry vision after application
    Pros and Const for Antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can treat a variety of eye infections in adults and children
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Applied directly on the eyes, so it has less side effects than oral antibiotics
    Cons
    •Has to be used every 3 hours for at least a week
    •Can cause temporary eye irritation after applying
    •Can make your eyes more sensitive to light

  • Common Side Effects of Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Common Side Effects for
    •Mild eye irritations
    •Eye redness
    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation (e.g., redness, burning, stinging, itching)

  • Warnings of Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Common Side Effects for
    •Only use on eye surface
    •New or worsened eye infections
    •Allergic reaction to antibiotics
    Common Side Effects for
    •For use in the eye only
    •New infection
    •Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)

  • Prices with our coupons for Ilotycin vs. Polytrim

    Learn more about Erythromycin eye ointment
    Learn more about Polytrim

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