neo-polycin HC
Neo-Polycin HC is a combination eye medication that treats inflamed eyes due to a bacterial eye infection. It shouldn't be used long term because it can damage the eye.
What is Neo-Polycin HC?
What is Neo-Polycin HC used for?
- Bacterial eye infection with inflammation
- Prevent bacterial eye infection with inflammation
How Neo-Polycin HC works
Neo-Polycin HC is a combination of four medications.
Neomycin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from making certain proteins it needs to survive. Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that weakens the bacteria's protective covering. Bacitracin is an antibiotic that blocks the bacteria from making its protective covering. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that lowers inflammation (or swelling) of the eye. Together as a combination medication, Neo-Polycin HC treats bacterial eye infections and inflammation.
Drug facts
Side effects of Neo-Polycin HC
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
- Allergic skin reactions: itching, swelling, and redness of the eye
- Eye irritation
Less Common Side Effects
- Greater eye pressure
- Glaucoma
- Eye nerve damage
- Cataract
- Slow wound healing
Neo-Polycin HC serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Anaphylaxis: severe allergic reaction that causes swelling of the mouth, nose, or throat, difficulty breathing, or death
The following Neo-Polycin HC 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
- Eye pain, change in vision, vision loss
- 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):
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Pros and cons of Neo-Polycin HC
Pros
- Works well to treat eye infections with swelling
- Can also help prevent eye infections from happening
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
- Can't be used for viral or fungal eye infections
- Ointment can be harder to apply than drops
- Ointment might slow the healing of the eye if there's a wound
Pharmacist tips for Neo-Polycin HC
- To apply Neo-Polycin HC into your eye, gently pull down your lower eyelid and place the ointment in between your eyelid and eyeball. Then let go of your eyelid and close for eyes for 1 to 2 minutes to let the medication spread around your eyes. Ointments can make your eyes a little blurry in the beginning, so give your eyes a few minutes for the vision to clear up.
- Avoid touching the tip of the ointment tube with your hands, eyelids, or other surfaces to prevent contamination. Contamination happens when bacteria gets on the tip of the tube and causes an infection in the eye called bacterial keratitis.
- Neo-Polycin HC should only be used by the person it was prescribed to, and shouldn't be shared because it can spread infection.
- If you still experience pain and swelling after 2 days of using Neo-Polycin HC, let your provider know. Your provider will determine if you need a different medication to treat your infection.
- Your provider might check your eye pressure if you need to use Neo-Polycin HC for 10 days or longer, since this medication can raise your eye pressure and damage your eye with long-term use.
- Your provider might also check your eye pressure often if you have glaucoma to make sure your eyes are not damaged from the medication.
- If you need a refill of Neo-Polycin HC, your provider might require you to have your eyes checked to make sure it's safe for you to continue using this medication.
Common questions about Neo-Polycin HC
Neo-Polycin HC starts working right away to treat your eye infection, but your symptoms may not improve until a day or two. Let your provider know if you still have pain and swelling after 2 days of using Neo-Polycin HC so they can determine if this medication is actually helping your infection. Continue to use this medication even if you do feel better, unless your provider has directed you to stop.
If you experience any signs of allergic reactions (e.g. rash, swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, etc.), stop and let your provider know right away. Having an allergy to Neo-Polycin HC can prevent you from using similar antibiotics for future infections, which include kanamycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and possibly gentamicin.
Antibiotics can help treat infections, but adding a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone in Neo-Polycin HC can help lower swelling in the eye. Corticosteroids can cause many problems and can damage the eye, so it's not safe to use Neo-Polycin HC for a long time.
Before starting this medication, let your provider know if you've had a previous allergy to neomyin, which is an ingredient in Neo-Polycin HC. Neomycin has a higher risk of allergic reaction compared to other antibiotics, but it only happens in some people. Pay attention to any signs of itching, redness, or swelling of the eyes and eyelids, and let your provider know right away.
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Risks and warnings for Neo-Polycin HC
Neo-Polycin HC 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.
Only for topical use
Neo-Polycin HC is only to be placed on top of the eye surface, and should never be injected into the eye.
Eye damage in long-term use
- Risk factors: Eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts | Using Neo-Polycin HC for a long time | Thin corneas or sclera (white part of the eye)
Neo-Polycin HC might damage the eye if used long term. Hydrocortisone, a steroid in Neo-Polycin HC, might raise eye pressure, damage the eye nerve, worsen eyesight, and cause glaucoma or cataracts. Let your provider know before you start Neo-Polycin HC if you have glaucoma or cataracts. Using Neo-Polycin HC after a cataract surgery might slow down the healing process or cause extra fluid to build up in your eye. If you have a history of eye problems and you're using Neo-Polycin HC long term, it might cause your cornea or sclera to become very thin. If you already have a thin cornea or sclera, you might have a higher risk of getting a tear in your eye. Let your provider know right away if you experience eye pain or worsening vision.
New or worse eye infections
- Risk factors: Using Neo-Polycin HC for a long time | Acute purulent infections (infection with discharge)
Using corticosteroids, including Neo-Polycin HC, long term might lower your immune system and make it easier for you to get a second eye infection. Hydrocortisone, a steroid in Neo-Polycin HC, can affect certain infections and can actually make the infection worse. Long-term use of Neo-Polycin HC might also cause fungal and viral eye infections to develop. Let your provider know if you have any signs of a new infection in your eye or if you develop an open sore on your eye.
Allergic reactions
Antibiotics, especially neomycin in Neo-Polycin HC, can cause allergic skin reactions. Stop the medication and let your provider know if you experience itching, redness, swelling of the eyes and eyelids, or if the infection is not getting better. These reactions generally go away once the medication is stopped.
Neo-Polycin HC dosage
Tube of ointment| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5g | 1 tube | $20.81 | $20.81 |
Typical dosage for Neo-Polycin HC
Apply the ointment in the affected eye(s) every 3 or 4 hours. Your provider will determine how often and how long to use Neo-Polycin HC depending on your condition.
How much does Neo-Polycin HC cost?
$20.81
Neo-Polycin HC contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Neo-Polycin HC will not be safe for you to take.
- Most viral eye infections, including eye infection caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV (epithelial herpes simplex keratitis), eye infections caused by smallpox or chickenpox, and eye infections caused by a type of bacteria called mycobacteria
- Fungal eye infections
