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Drug Profile

Do NOT stop taking this or any drug without the advice of your physician. Some drugs can cause severe adverse effects when they are stopped suddenly.

Do Not Use [what does this mean?]
Generic drug name: neomycin and dexamethasone (nee oh MYE sin and dex a METH a sone)
Brand name(s): NEODECADRON
GENERIC: not available FAMILIES: Adrenal Steroids, Other Drugs for Bacterial Infection
Find the drug label by searching at DailyMed.

Do Not Use [what does this mean?]
Generic drug name: neomycin p, polymyxin b, and dexamethasone (nee oh MYE sin, pah lee MIX in bee and dex a METH a sone)
Brand name(s): MAXITROL
GENERIC: available FAMILIES: Adrenal Steroids, Other Drugs for Bacterial Infection
Find the drug label by searching at DailyMed.

Alternative Treatment [top]

An antibiotic alone, if necessary.

Facts About This Drug [top]

These are eye drops that contain two types of drugs: antibiotics (neomycin and polymixin B) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone). The drops are used to treat some allergies or eye and eyelid infections caused by bacteria. There is no persuasive proof that they are beneficial for this purpose. However, ophthalmologists find this combination useful to prevent infections and reduce postoperative inflammation in the first few days after intraocular lens surgery.

Dexamethasone belongs to a...

These are eye drops that contain two types of drugs: antibiotics (neomycin and polymixin B) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone). The drops are used to treat some allergies or eye and eyelid infections caused by bacteria. There is no persuasive proof that they are beneficial for this purpose. However, ophthalmologists find this combination useful to prevent infections and reduce postoperative inflammation in the first few days after intraocular lens surgery.

Dexamethasone belongs to a family of drugs called corticosteroids that are used to reduce inflammation, a natural defense against infection and injury. Drugs in this family are not recommended for treating infections because they can hide the signs of an infection or make it spread. Prolonged use of corticosteroids also may cause glaucoma and cataracts and suppress the production of natural glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol, by the adrenal glands, which may lead to signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency — including fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness (particularly upon standing) and fainting — during or shortly after stopping corticosteroid treatment.[1]

The antibiotics in these combinations, neomycin and polymixin B, are used to fight infection. If your eye problem is being caused by a bacterial infection, an antibiotic may be needed. Otherwise, antibiotics are unnecessary and should not be used.[2]

Neomycin commonly causes skin rashes in 8% of the people who use it.[3] Using neomycin can also make it hard for you to use other drugs in its family (aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin (GARAMYCIN) and tobramycin (TOBREX)) that may be needed later to treat serious infections.

last reviewed January 31, 2024