Neomycin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections.
Dexamethasone is a steroid. It is used to treat the inflammation associated with bacterial
infections of the eye.
Neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic is used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes.
Neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Do not use neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic if you have a viral or fungal infection
in your eye. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria only.
Neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic passes into breast
milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Use neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic eyedrops or ointment exactly as directed by your
doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them
to you.
Wash your hands before and after using your eyedrops or ointment.
To apply the eyedrops:
Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid.
Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop
and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for
about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from draining down your tear duct. Repeat the process in
the other eye if your doctor has prescribed drops in both eyes. If you are using more than one
drop in the same eye, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops.
To apply the ointment:
Hold the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that
the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down gently on your lower
eyelid. Apply a thin film of the ointment into your lower eyelid. Close your eye and roll your
eyeball around in all directions for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat the process in the other eye if your
doctor has prescribed ointment in both eyes.
If you are applying another eye medication, allow at least 10 minutes before
your next application.
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Do not use any eyedrop that is discolored or has particles in it.
Store neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. Keep the bottle or tube properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose of neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed.
Do not
use a double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Serious side effects are not expected with this medication.
Some burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, blurred vision, eyelid itching, eyelid swelling,
or sensitivity to light may occur.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Contact your doctor if your symptoms begin to get worse or if you do not see any improvement
in your condition after a few days.
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) after each drop to prevent
the fluid from draining down your tear duct.
What should I avoid while taking neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision,
avoid these activities.
Use caution with contact lenses. Wear them only if your doctor approves. After applying this
medication, wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses.
Avoid other eye medications unless your doctor approves.
What other drugs will affect neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Avoid other eye medications unless they are approved by your doctor.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking an oral steroid medication such as
prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others).
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with neomycin and dexamethasone
ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
What happens if I have an overdose of neomycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009