In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, topical

Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Bacitracin (nee-oh-MYE-sin, pol-i-MIX-in bee, and bass-i-TRAY-sin ) is a combination antibiotic medicine used to help prevent infections of the skin.

Neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical problem.

Topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination is available in the following dosage form:

Topical
• Ointment (U.S. and Canada)

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to any related antibiotic, such as amikacin (e.g., Amikin), colistimethate (e.g., Coly-Mycin M), colistin (e.g., Coly-Mycin S), gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin (e.g., Kantrex), neomycin by mouth or by injection (e.g., Mycifradin), netilmicin (e.g., Netromycin), paromomycin (e.g., Humatin), polymyxin B by injection (e.g., Aerosporin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (e.g., Nebcin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin topical preparations have not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination passes into breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, do not use it to treat deep wounds, puncture wounds, serious burns, or raw areas without first checking with your health care professional.

Do not use this medicine in the eyes.

Before applying this medicine, wash the affected area with soap and water, and dry thoroughly.

After applying this medicine, the treated area may be covered with a gauze dressing if desired.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing—

The dose of topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of topical neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For topical dosage form (ointment):
  • For prevention of minor bacterial infections:
    • Adults and children—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two to five times a day.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your skin problem does not improve within 1 week, or if it becomes worse, check with your health care professional.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Itching, skin rash, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine 
  
  

• Rare
  • Any loss of hearing 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.