Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
About Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is a prescription eye drop used to treat bacterial eye infections associated with redness, swelling, and irritation. It contains antibiotics that eliminate the bacteria causing the infection, along with a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation. This combination helps relieve symptoms, promotes healing, and improves eye comfort.
Use Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B exactly as prescribed by your doctor and complete the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms improve earlier. Apply the drops directly into the affected eye at evenly spaced intervals. Avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment unless your doctor advises otherwise. Maintaining good hand hygiene and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes can help prevent the infection from spreading.
While using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B, some people may experience mild burning, stinging, temporary blurred vision, or eye irritation immediately after application. However, contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe eye pain, worsening redness, changes in vision, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Talk to your doctor before using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B if you have glaucoma, cataracts, severe dry eyes, or a history of increased eye pressure. Do not use this medicine if you have viral, fungal, or tubercular eye infections, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
This medicine may interact with other eye drops or eye ointments. If you are using more than one eye medication, ask your doctor how to space the doses appropriately. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an older adult, consult your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
The safety and dosing of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may differ in children. Use this medicine in children only if prescribed by an eye specialist or healthcare provider, and always follow the recommended dose and duration of treatment.
Uses of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
Medicinal Benefits
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B helps treat bacterial eye infections while relieving inflammation and discomfort. Key benefits include:
- Treats Bacterial Eye Infections: Eliminates the bacteria responsible for the infection, helping clear the condition effectively.
- Reduces Eye Redness and Inflammation: Helps relieve swelling, redness, irritation, and discomfort associated with bacterial eye infections.
- Promotes Faster Healing: By controlling both infection and inflammation, Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B supports recovery and helps restore normal eye comfort and function.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the number of drops advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Do not touch the tip of the dropper to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Temporary burning or stinging after application
- Temporary blurred vision
- Mild eye redness or irritation
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, redness, or swelling
- Changes in vision, including blurred vision, halos around lights, or reduced vision
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Drug Warnings
- Check the solution before use: Do not use the eye drops if the liquid appears discoloured, cloudy, or contains floating particles.
- Keep the dropper sterile: Never touch the dropper tip to your eye, fingers, or any other surface to avoid contamination.
- Space other eye medicines: If you use other eye drops, wait at least 10 minutes before applying the next eye medication, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
- Remove contact lenses: Take out your contact lenses before using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them, unless your doctor has advised you not to wear contact lenses during treatment.
- Do not share your eye drops: Use this medicine only for yourself to help prevent contamination and the spread of eye infections.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines or eye products, as they may interact with Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B.
- Other steroid eye drops: Using multiple corticosteroid eye medicines together may increase the risk of raised eye pressure, delayed healing, or cataract formation.
- Other eye medications: Tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription eye drops or ointments you use, as the timing of administration may need to be adjusted.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may not interact with alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is a category C medicine. Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause some side effects to the unborn baby or fetus, so it should not be used in pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. So, please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B may cause vision problems. However, it will be mild and temporary in nature. So, it is advisable to avoid driving until your vision becomes normal.
Liver
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be used to treat eye infections in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B can be used to treat eye infections in patients with kidney diseases.
Children
cautionDexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used in children above 2 years of age only if clinically needed. It is not recommended for use in children below 2 years as safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid contact lenses: Do not wear contact lenses until the infection has completely resolved and your doctor says it is safe to use them again.
- Maintain good eye hygiene: Wash your hands before and after using the eye drops, and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Do not share personal eye items: Avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, eye cosmetics, or eye drops to prevent spreading the infection.
- Replace contaminated eye makeup: Discard eye makeup used during the infection to reduce the risk of reinfection.
- Protect your eyes outdoors: Wear sunglasses when outdoors if your eyes are sensitive to bright light, wind, or dust during recovery.
Special Advise
- It is advised not to wear contact lenses while using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B. So, remove contact lenses before using this medicine and wear them back after 15 minutes.
- If you are prescribed other eye drops along with Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B, maintain an interval of 5 minutes to avoid dilution. In general, eye ointment should be taken last.
- If you take more than the prescribed drops, wash it out of your eye with warm water.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infections: These are the common eye problems seen in a primary care setting. The common bacterial eye infections are conjunctivitis, stye, or keratitis. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva (white part of the eye) and the inner eyelid. It is a highly contagious infection that is spread by secretions of the eye. Symptoms include redness, itch, and discharge or crusting around the eye. A stye, a bump on the eyelid, is also a common eye condition. Keratitis, inflammation of the cornea, occurs due to frequent contact lenses, injury, diabetes, or surgery. Chronic anterior uveitis is the long-term inflammation inside the front of your eye.
FAQs
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is used to treat bacterial eye infections like conjunctivitis (infected conjunctiva) and chronic anterior uveitis (long-term inflammation inside the front of your eye).
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B contains Dexamethasone, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that inhibits prostaglandins (chemical substances) that cause inflammation and symptoms associated with infection such as redness and irritation. Neomycin and Polymyxin B are antibiotics. They are bactericidal and kill the bacteria by interfering with its growth.
Yes, if your doctor recommends using other eye medications, you can use them along with Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B. Leave an interval between different eye drops (follow your doctor's instructions; generally at least 5–10 minutes) to avoid washing out the medicine. If you are also using an eye ointment, apply the ointment last.
The side effects of Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B are mild and temporary. It may cause application-site effects such as redness, irritation, itching, or a burning sensation. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
Avoid wearing contact lenses while you have an eye infection unless your doctor advises otherwise. If your doctor allows you to wear them, remove your contact lenses before using Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. The preservative in the medicine may discolor soft contact lenses. Consult your doctor for advice specific to your condition.
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B should be used with caution in patients with diabetes as this medicine may alter blood sugar levels by interfering with the action of anti-diabetic medicines. In addition, prolonged use may cause cataracts (clouding of the eye), increase pressure in the eye, and increase the risk of infections in diabetic patients.
Temporary blurred vision is common right after putting in the drops. Avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision clears. If the blurriness persists, talk to your doctor.
Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B is useful for bacterial pink eye infections accompanied by swelling. However, it will not work for viral or allergic pink eye. Talk to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
This medication should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Talk to your doctor to discuss whether this treatment is safe for you.
Stopping Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B too early may allow the bacteria to continue growing, which can lead to the infection returning or becoming harder to treat. Always finish the full course prescribed by your doctor.
No, Dexamethasone+neomycin+polymyxin B does not treat viral eye infections. Using it for a viral infection can actually make the condition worse. Talk to your doctor to ensure you are treating the correct type of infection.
