$Unique_ID{BRK01919}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DEXAMETHASONE, NEOMYCIN, AND POLYMYXIN B COMBINATION (OPHTHALMIC)}
$Subject{AK-Trol (Akorn)
Dexacidin (Iolab Pharm)
Dexasporin (various manufacturers)
Maxitrol (Alcon)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DEXAMETHASONE, NEOMYCIN, AND POLYMYXIN B COMBINATION (OPHTHALMIC)
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     AK-Trol (Akorn)
     Dexacidin (Iolab Pharm)
     Dexasporin (various manufacturers)
     Maxitrol (Alcon)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Ophthalmic adrenocorticosteroid and antibiotic
INGREDIENTS:
     dexamethasone, neomycin, and polymyxin B
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Ophthalmic suspension (0.1% dexamethasone, 3.5 mg neomycin, and 10,000
       units polymyxin B per ml)
     Ophthalmic ointment (0.1% dexamethasone, 3.5 mg neomycin, and 10,000
       units polymyxin B per gram)
STORAGE:
     The ophthalmic suspension and ointment should be stored at room
       temperature (never frozen) in tightly closed containers.  If the
       suspension or ointment changes color, don't use the medication.  A
       change in color indicates a loss of effectiveness.

USES

     This medication is used for the short-term treatment of bacterial
infections and inflammation 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).
Dexamethasone 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.
     Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics, which act to prevent
the growth and multiplication of infecting bacteria.

TREATMENT

Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medication.  If you are
using the suspension, 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 to equalize the
doses.
     In order to prevent contamination of the medicine, be careful not to
touch the tube portion of the dropper, and do not let the dropper 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 eyeball.  Drop the medicine into the
pouch and slowly close your eyes.  Do not blink.  Place one finger at the
corner of the eye next to your nose, applying 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), and keep your eyes closed for a minute
or two.  If you think that the medicine did not get into your eye, repeat the
process once.  If you are using more than one type of eye drops, wait at least
five minutes between doses of the two types drugs.
     Follow the same general procedure for applying the ointment.  Tilt your
head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the prescribed amount of
ointment in a line along the pouch below the eyeball.  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 drug, 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 return to your regular
dosing schedule.
     Your doctor may advise you to reduce the number of times you are applying
this medication when the inflammation and infection begin to improve.
Continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your
doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear then.  If you stop
applying the drug too soon, 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 drug.

     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;
or severe irritation.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication should not interact with any other medications as long as
it is used according to directions.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about any reactions you have had to medications,
especially to dexamethasone or other adrenocorticosteroids (such as
alcometasone, amcinonide, betamethasone, clobetasol, clocortolone, cortisone,
desonide, desoximetasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone,
fluorometholone, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, hydrocortisone,
methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone), to polymyxin
B, to neomycin, or to any related antibiotic (amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin,
netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin).
     * Tell your doctor if you have ever had fungal or viral infections of the
eye, inner ear disease, kidney disease, or myasthenia gravis.
     * If there is no change in your condition two or three days after
starting to take this drug, contact your doctor.  The drug may not be
effective for your particular infection.
     * Do not use this medication for longer than ten consecutive days unless
your doctor directs you to do so.  Prolonged use of this drug may result in
glaucoma, secondary infection, cataracts, or eye damage.  If you need to take
this medication for several weeks, your doctor may want you to have an eye
examination by an ophthalmologist.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.  A
subsequent infection, or one that someone else has, may require a different
medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use it to
treat other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Do not apply makeup to the affected eye.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  When large amounts of
dexamethasone are applied for prolonged periods, some of it is absorbed into
the bloodstream.  It may cross the placenta.  Birth defects have been observed
in the offspring of animals that were given large oral doses of this drug
during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
If absorbed through the eye, small amounts of dexamethasone can pass into
breast milk and may cause growth suppression or a decrease in natural
adrenocorticosteroid production in the nursing infant.

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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.
