Polymyxin B, Neomycin, Bacitracin, and Lidocaine, Topical

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: polymyxin B, neomycin, bacitracin, and lidocaine; Campho-Phenique Antibiotic Plus Pain Reliever; Lanabiotic Ointment; Neosporin Plus Ointment

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic applied to the skin to treat or to prevent infections in cuts, wounds, minor burns, and skin abrasions, and to help healing.

How do I use it?

Wash your hands and the area to be treated with warm water and an antibacterial soap. Pat the skin dry with a soft towel.

Apply this medicine as directed by your health care provider or according to the directions on the package. Sometimes this medicine can be purchased without a prescription.

Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the wound or burn and cover the area with a bandage or Band-Aid.

Follow any other directions or warnings that are printed on the package of medicine.

Wash your hands after applying the medicine.

What should I watch out for?

If the infection is not cleared up in a few days or if it becomes worse, contact your health care provider.

This medicine is for external use only (on the skin). Keep it away from your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Deeper cuts or puncture wounds that become infected may require antibiotics by mouth or by shots. Contact your health care provider for advice in treating more serious wounds or infections.

Using antibiotics on your skin for a long time may increase your risk of fungal infections. Check with your health care provider.

Some ingredients of this medicine may cause a mild allergic reaction. If you have any irritation, redness or itching not present before you used this medicine, stop using this medicine and consult your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Loss of hearing (very rare).

Other: Itching, skin rash, redness, swelling, or other new sign of irritation.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. While using this medicine, do not use any other antibiotic medicine on your skin unless approved by a health care provider.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.