Neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone

Neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone
Combination of
NeomycinAntibiotic
Polymyxin BAntibiotic
HydrocortisoneGlucocorticoid
Clinical data
Trade namesOtosporin, Cortisporin, others
AHFS/Drugs.comFDA Professional Drug Information
Routes of
administration
Ear drop
ATC code
  • None
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
KEGG

Neomycin/polymyxin B/hydrocortisone, sold under the brand Otosporin among others, is a medication used to treat otitis externa (swimmer's ear) and certain eye disorders.[2][3] It consists of the antibiotics neomycin and polymyxin B, and the steroid hydrocortisone.[3] It is used as an ear drop or eye drop.[2][3]

The most common side effects include itchiness and a skin rash.[4] Other side effects may include dizziness, hives, anaphylaxis, hearing loss, and headache.[2][4] Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is unclear.[5] The antibiotics work by killing specific types of bacteria while the steroids work by decreasing inflammation.[6]

The combination was approved for medical use in the United States in 1964.[3] In 2021, it was the 304th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 400,000 prescriptions.[7]

  1. ^ "Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Hydrocortisone- neomycin sulfate, polymyxin b sulfate and hydrocortisone solution". DailyMed. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c British national formulary : BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. p. 1164. ISBN 9780857113382.
  3. ^ a b c d "Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic Suspension - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses". Drugs.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Hydrocortisone/neomycin/polymyxin b otic Side Effects in Detail". Drugs.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  5. ^ "Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  6. ^ "DailyMed - neomycin sulfate, polymyxin b sulfate and hydrocortisone solution". dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Neomycin; Polymyxin B; Hydrocortisone - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.