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bacitracin / polymyxin B non-prescription
Used for Skin Infection, Wound Care
Used for Skin Infection, Wound Care
Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a combination medication that contains two antibiotics. It's an ointment that's applied on the skin to prevent bacterial infections in minor cuts and burns. Typically, you can apply this medication onto your skin 1 to 3 times daily. Most people have few to no side effects when they use Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) as directed.
What is Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?
What is Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) used for?
- Preventing bacterial skin infections from small cuts, scrapes, and burns
How Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) works
Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is a combination of two medications.
- Bacitracin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from making their own protective covering (called a cell wall) to avoid harm.
- Polymyxin B is an antibiotic that kills bacteria by destroying their protective covering.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Polysporin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Topical antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
Side effects of Polysporin (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.
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin rash
- Itching
The following Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) 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
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
Get your GoodRx coupon
$24.63
GoodRx discount
$7.12
Pros and cons of Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
Pros
- Combines two antibiotics into one topical ointment for convenience
- Has very few side effects, so it's safe for most people if used as directed
- Available as a generic, over-the-counter medication
Cons
- Might need to use multiple times a day
- Can't use for deep or large wounds
- Not meant to be used for more than 7 days
Pharmacist tips for Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
- Wash your hands before and after you apply Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) on your skin. This helps prevent the wound from getting contaminated and helps prevent the medication from getting in your eyes or mouth.
- Before you use Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B), clean the affected area(s) of your skin and make sure it's dry.
- After you apply Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) onto your skin, you can cover the treated area with a clean bandage.
- Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is meant to be used for small cuts, scrapes, and burns. You shouldn’t use it to cover large areas of the body or for serious injuries. Get medical attention right away if you have an animal bite, deep wound, or serious burn.
- Only put Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) on the outside of your body (i.e., skin). Don't place this medication into your mouth or swallow it, and never use it in your eyes, nose, or ears.
- Talk with your provider if you end up needing to use Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) for more than a week. Also stop using the medication and let your provider know if your wound has gotten worse or hasn't gotten better after a week. Your provider can check your injury to make sure it's not infected.
- Store Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) up and away and out of children's reach and sight to prevent accidental ingestion. Always put medication away every time you use it. Call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think that your child might’ve accidentally swallowed the ointment, even if you're not sure.
Risks and warnings for Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
Polysporin (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.
Allergic reaction
In some rare cases, Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) can cause an allergic reaction. Stop using the ointment and contact a provider if you develop a skin rash or other reaction while you're using this medication. Get emergency medical help right away if you have a more serious allergic reaction, such as shortness of breath or swelling of your tongue, lips, or face.
Use only on your skin
Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) should only be used on your skin. Don’t put it in your eyes, nose, mouth, ears, or genitals. Get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away by calling 1-800-222-1222 if someone accidentally swallows the ointment.
Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) dosage
The average cost for 1 tube of 14.2g of 500iu/10000iu of Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) is $8.40 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 23.29% off the average retail price of $10.95. 
Tube of ointment
Tube of ointment| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.2g of 500iu/10000iu | 1 tube | $8.40 | $8.40 |
| 28g of 500iu/10000iu | 1 tube | $7.12 | $7.12 |
Typical dosage for Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)
Apply a small amount (about the size of the tip of your finger) to the affected area(s) 1 to 3 times daily.
How much does Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Polysporin (bacitracin / polymyxin B). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
