$Unique_ID{BRK03185} $Pretitle{} $Title{hydrocortisone, polymyxin B, neomycin, and bacitracin combination (ophthalmic)} $Subject{Coracin Hauck Cortisporin Ophthalmic Burroughs Wellcome Triple Antibiotic HC Triple-Gen Goldline adrenocorticosteroid antibiotic hydrocortisone polymyxin B neomycin bacitracin ointment bacterial infections eyes cortisone-like inflammation redness, swelling itching discomfort fluid balance temperature reaction inflammation antibiotics growth multiplication bacteria preservative} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. hydrocortisone, polymyxin B, neomycin, and bacitracin combination (ophthalmic) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Coracin (Hauck) Cortisporin Ophthalmic (Burroughs Wellcome) Triple Antibiotic with HC (various manufacturers) Triple-Gen (Goldline) TYPE OF DRUG Ophthalmic adrenocorticosteroid and antibiotic INGREDIENTS hydrocortisone, polymyxin B, neomycin, and bacitracin (ointment only) DOSAGE FORMS Ophthalmic drops (1% hydrocortisone; 10,000 units polymyxin B; 0.5% neomycin; and 0.001% thimerosal per ml) Ophthalmic ointment (1% hydrocortisone; 10,000 units polymyxin B; 0.5% neomycin; 400 units bacitracin) STORAGE This medication should be stored at room temperature (never frozen) in tightly closed containers. If the drops or ointment change color, do not use the medication. A change in color signifies a loss of effectiveness. USES This medication is used for the short-term treatment of bacterial infections 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). Hydrocortisone 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. Polymyxin B, neomycin, and bacitracin are antibiotics, which act to prevent the growth and multiplication of infecting bacteria. Thimerosal is a preservative. TREATMENT Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medication. If you are using the drops, 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 equalize the doses. To prevent contamination of the medicine, do not touch the tube portion of the dropper or let it 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 eye. Drop the prescribed amount of medicine into the pouch and slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink. Keep your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the eye next to your nose for a minute or two, applying a 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). Then wipe away any excess with a clean tissue. If you don't think the medicine got into your eye, repeat the process once. If you are using more than one type of eye drop, wait at least five minutes between doses of the two types of medication. Follow the same general procedure for applying the ointment. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the ointment in a line along the pouch below the eye. 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 medication, 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 wait until the next scheduled dose. It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear before the end of that period. If you stop applying the drug too soon, resistant 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 medication. 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; continued burning; or severe irritation. INTERACTIONS This medication should not interact with other medications as long as it is used according to the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to hydrocortisone or other adrenocorticosteroids (such as amcinonide, betamethasone, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone, fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone) or to polymyxin B, neomycin, bacitracin, or any related antibiotic (amikacin, colistimethate, colistin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, or viomycin), or to thimerosal or other mercury compounds. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had fungal or viral infections of the eye, cataracts, glaucoma, inner ear disease, kidney disease, or myasthenia gravis. * Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. Your doctor may suggest that you wear eyeglasses until the infection is gone. * If there is no change in your condition two or three days after starting to take this medication, contact your doctor. The medication may not be effective for your particular infection. * Do not use this drug for longer than ten consecutive days, unless your doctor directs you to. Prolonged use of this drug may result in glaucoma, secondary infection, cataracts, or eye damage. If you need to take this drug for as long as six weeks, your doctor may want you to have an eye examination by an ophthalmologist. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another infection later on, or one that a family member or friend has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so. * In order to allow your eye infection to clear, you should not apply makeup to the affected eye during treatment with this medication. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. When large amounts of hydrocortisone are applied for prolonged periods, some of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. It may cross the placenta. Studies in humans have not been conducted, but birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that were given large oral doses of hydrocortisone during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. If absorbed through the skin, small amounts of hydrocortisone pass into breast milk and may cause growth suppression or a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid hormone 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.