$Unique_ID{BRK03119} $Pretitle{} $Title{dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B combination (ophthalmic)} $Subject{AK-Trol Akorn Dexacidin Iolab Pharm Dexasporin Infectrol Bausch Lomb Maxitrol Alcon Ophthalmic adrenocorticosteroid antibiotic dexamethasone neomycin polymyxin B short-term treatment bacterial infections inflammation eyes cortisone-like inflammation redness swelling itching discomfort} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B combination (ophthalmic) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) AK-Trol (Akorn) Dexacidin (Iolab Pharm) Dexasporin (various manufacturers) Infectrol (Bausch & Lomb) Maxitrol (Alcon) TYPE OF DRUG Ophthalmic adrenocorticosteroid and antibiotic INGREDIENTs dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B DOSAGE FORMS Ophthalmic suspension (0.1% dexamethasone, 3.5 mg neomycin, and 10,000 units polymyxin B per ml) Ophthalmic ointment (0.1% dexamethasone, 3.5 mg neomycin, and 10,000 units polymyxin B per gram) STORAGE The ophthalmic suspension and ointment should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in tightly closed containers. If the suspension or ointment changes color, don't use the medication. A change in color indicates a loss of effectiveness. USES This medication is used for the short-term treatment of bacterial infections and inflammation of the eyes. Your adrenal glands naturally produce certain cortisone-like chemicals. These chemicals are involved in various regulatory processes in the body (such as those involving fluid balance, temperature, and reaction to inflammation). Dexamethasone belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenocorticosteroids (or cortisone-like medications). It is used to relieve inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, and discomfort). How it does so is not completely understood. Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics, which act to prevent the growth and multiplication of infecting bacteria. TREATMENT Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medication. If you are using the suspension, shake the bottle well before measuring out the drops. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly and to equalize the doses. In order to prevent contamination of the medicine, be careful not to touch the tube portion of the dropper, and do not let the dropper touch the eye. Note that the bottle of the eye drops is not completely full. This is to allow control of the number of drops used. To apply the drops, tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid with one hand to make a pouch below the eyeball. Drop the medicine into the pouch and slowly close your eyes. Do not blink. Place one finger at the corner of the eye next to your nose, applying slight pressure (this is done to prevent loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the eye into the nose and throat), and keep your eyes closed for a minute or two. If you think that the medicine did not get into your eye, repeat the process once. If you are using more than one type of eye drops, wait at least five minutes between doses of the two types drugs. Follow the same general procedure for applying the ointment. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the prescribed amount of ointment in a line along the pouch below the eyeball. Close your eyes, and place your finger at the corner of the eye near the nose for a minute or two. Do not rub your eyes. Wipe off excess ointment and the tip of the tube with clean tissues. Since applying the medication is somewhat difficult to do, you may want someone else to apply it for you. If you miss a dose of this drug, insert the drops or apply the ointment as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next application. In that case, do not use the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Your doctor may advise you to reduce the number of times you are applying this medication when the inflammation and infection begin to improve. Continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear then. If you stop applying the drug too soon, bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision, burning, or stinging. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the drug. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about disturbed or reduced vision; eye pain, itching, or swelling; headache; rash; or severe irritation. INTERACTIONS This medication should not interact with any other medications as long as it is used according to directions. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about any reactions you have had to medications, especially to dexamethasone or other adrenocorticosteroids (such as alcometasone, amcinonide, betamethasone, clobetasol, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide, desoximetasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone, fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone), to polymyxin B, to neomycin, or to any related antibiotic (amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin). * Tell your doctor if you have ever had fungal or viral infections of the eye, inner ear disease, kidney disease, or myasthenia gravis. * If there is no change in your condition two or three days after starting to take this drug, contact your doctor. The drug may not be effective for your particular infection. * Do not use this medication for longer than ten consecutive days unless your doctor directs you to do so. Prolonged use of this drug may result in glaucoma, secondary infection, cataracts, or eye damage. If you need to take this medication for several weeks, your doctor may want you to have an eye examination by an ophthalmologist. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. A subsequent infection may require a different medicine. Do not give this drug to other people or use it to treat other infections. * Do not apply makeup to the affected eye. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. When large amounts of dexamethasone are applied for prolonged periods, some of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. It may cross the placenta. Birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that were given large oral doses of this drug during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. If absorbed through the eye, small amounts of dexamethasone can pass into breast milk and may cause growth suppression or a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid production in the nursing infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.