Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic
A combination eye ointment containing three antibiotics and a steroid, used to treat inflammatory eye conditions where bacterial infection is present or likely.
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand
The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 5 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →
This eye ointment pairs hydrocortisone, a steroid that calms swelling, with three antibiotics (neomycin, polymyxin B and bacitracin) for eye inflammation where infection is present or likely; it is an older combination, on the market since about 1995 and available generically. Most people tolerate it well, though brief stinging or itching on application is common and the ointment briefly blurs vision. Watch for eyelid redness, itching or swelling that builds instead of fading, which can be a neomycin allergy, and call your eye doctor if not better within two days. Keep the course short, since longer use can raise eye pressure, promote cataracts and invite fungal or viral infections.
Clinical pearls
- If you use it for 10 days or more, your eye doctor should check your eye pressure regularly.
- It must not be used for herpes simplex, chickenpox or fungal eye infections, which the steroid can make much worse.
- A past rash from a neomycin first-aid skin ointment matters here, since this eye ointment contains the same antibiotic.
- Pull the lower lid down and place a thin ribbon inside, without letting the tube tip touch the eye or lashes.
Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic, written from its FDA label.
What Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is used for
▾
This combination ophthalmic ointment is used when the eye needs both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial treatment at the same time. Supported uses include:
- Inflammatory conditions of the conjunctiva (tissue lining the eyelids and covering the white of the eye), cornea, and anterior segment of the eye when bacterial infection is present or at high risk
- Chronic anterior uveitis — persistent inflammation inside the front of the eye
- Corneal injury from chemical, radiation, or thermal burns
- Corneal injury from a penetrating foreign body
- Conditions where the risk of bacterial infection is high enough that antibiotic coverage is needed alongside steroid treatment
How Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic works
▾
This ointment uses four active ingredients working together. Hydrocortisone (the steroid) suppresses the eye's inflammatory response, reducing swelling, redness, and discomfort. Because steroids can also reduce the eye's natural defenses against infection, the three antibiotics — neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and bacitracin zinc — are included to target the bacteria most likely to cause eye infections. Together, they cover a broad range of common bacterial eye pathogens.
The antibiotic combination is active against organisms including Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella/Enterobacter species, Neisseria species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Note that this product does not provide adequate coverage against Serratia marcescens.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic dosage
▾
This ointment is applied directly to the eye (ophthalmic route). Your prescriber will tell you how often to apply it based on your specific condition. Do not use more than directed, and do not use it longer than prescribed — especially because prolonged steroid use carries additional risks.
- Apply to the affected eye only, as a small ribbon of ointment
- Do not inject or introduce the ointment into the interior of the eye
- If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember — but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose
- Always follow your prescriber's specific instructions and the directions on your prescription label
Dosing details from the FDA-approved label
From the Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Clean the affected area
- Apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily
- May be covered with a sterile bandage
- Hydrocortisone Cream - adults and children 2 years of age and older
- Apply to affected area 3 to 4 times daily
- Hydrocortisone Cream - children under 2 years of age
- Do not use, consult a doctor
- Hydrocortisone Cream - adults, external anal itching
- When practical, cleanse the affected area with mild soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly or by patting or blotting with an appropriate cleansing pad
- Gently dry by patting or blotting with toilet tissue or a soft cloth before application of this product
- Hydrocortisone Cream - children under 12 years of age, external anal itching
- Consult a doctor
Read the label’s full dosing text
Directions – Triple Antibiotic Ointment Clean the affected area Apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily May be covered with a sterile bandage
Directions – Hydrocortisone Cream for adults and children 2 years of age and older: apply to affected area 3 to 4 times daily children under 2 years of age: do not use, consult a doctor adults for external anal itching when practical, cleanse the affected area with mild soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly or by patting or blotting with an appropriate cleansing pad gently dry by patting or blotting with toilet tissue or a soft cloth before application of this product children under 12 years of age: for external anal itching, consult a doctor
Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic side effects
▾
Side effects can come from the steroid, the antibiotic ingredients, or the combination:
Common side effects
- Eye itching or irritation on application
- Redness or swelling of the eyelid or conjunctiva
- Allergic skin-like rash or sensitization reaction
- Increased pressure inside the eye
- Delayed wound healing in the eye
- Local irritation at the time of application
- Local eye irritation when the ointment is applied
- Increased intraocular pressure (raised pressure inside the eye), which can progress to glaucoma with prolonged use
- Delayed healing of eye wounds or tissue
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts (lens clouding) with long-term use
When to get medical help
- Call your doctor if you notice increasing eye pain, redness, or swelling — these could signal a secondary infection
- Seek care if vision changes or worsens at any point during treatment
- Tell your doctor right away if symptoms do not improve after 2 days of use
- Get medical help if you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction such as severe swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis has been rarely reported)
- Contact your doctor if you develop signs of increased eye pressure such as eye pain or visual disturbances, especially with prolonged use
- Report any signs of a new or worsening fungal or viral eye infection during use
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic warnings and precautions
▾
- Not for injection: This ointment must never be injected into the eye or introduced into the anterior chamber (the fluid-filled space at the front of the eye).
- Raised eye pressure and glaucoma: Prolonged steroid use can increase pressure inside the eye, potentially damaging the optic nerve and affecting vision. Eye pressure should be monitored if used for 10 days or more.
- Cataracts: Long-term use may lead to posterior subcapsular cataract formation (clouding at the back of the lens).
- Corneal and scleral thinning: Steroid use can thin the cornea or sclera; in people with already thin tissue, this may cause perforation.
- Secondary infections: Steroids suppress immune responses, making fungal and viral infections (including herpes simplex) more likely to develop or worsen. This ointment should not be used in active viral or fungal eye infections.
- Masking of infection: The steroid component can hide the signs of a worsening infection. Acute eye infections may appear better while actually getting worse.
- Neomycin sensitization: Neomycin is a common cause of allergic reactions. Watch for itching, eyelid swelling, or redness that worsens — these may be allergy signs, not the underlying condition improving.
- Wound healing after cataract surgery: Use after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase complications.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic interactions
▾
The FDA label for this ophthalmic ointment does not describe specific drug, food, or supplement interactions. However, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all medications and eye drops you use, especially if you use other eye products at the same time.
- Other ophthalmic (eye) medications: ask your doctor or pharmacist about spacing and order of application if you use multiple eye products
Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.
Before taking Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic
▾
- Do not use if you have a viral eye infection such as herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, or varicella (chickenpox-related eye infection) — this ointment is contraindicated in these conditions
- Do not use if you have a fungal infection of the eye or a mycobacterial eye infection
- Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin, hydrocortisone, or any related ingredient — neomycin allergy is more common than with other topical antibiotics
- Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or a history of high eye pressure — steroids can make this worse
- Tell your doctor if you have thin corneal or scleral tissue — steroid use may increase the risk of perforation
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had cataract surgery
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
What Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic does in the body
▾
The steroid component, hydrocortisone, suppresses the inflammatory response in the eye — reducing redness, swelling, and tissue irritation. The three antibiotic components (neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and bacitracin zinc) act against a broad range of bacteria commonly responsible for eye infections. Because steroids can reduce the eye's natural ability to fight infection on its own, including the antibiotics in the same formula helps offset that risk while inflammation is being treated.
How to store Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic
▾
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) . KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN apexa™ Manufactured by: Akorn Inc.
Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic: pharmacist answers to common questions
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.
What exactly does this eye ointment treat?
▾
How do I apply this ointment correctly?
▾
What side effects should I watch out for?
▾
Is it okay to use this if I have a herpes eye infection?
▾
Why does my doctor want me to stop using this after a short time?
▾
Can I use this if I've recently had eye surgery?
▾
Is Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic available over the counter?
▾
When was Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic first available?
▾
Who makes Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic?
▾
Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →
More about Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic on HelloPharmacist
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic forms and strengths (how it comes)
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic inactive ingredients by manufacturer.
Eye ointment
How this form is used
- Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates, Bacitracin Zinc, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic Ointment is used for steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions where bacterial infection exists or is likely
- Indicated for inflammatory conditions of the conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the eye
- Used for chronic anterior uveitis (ongoing inflammation in the front of the eye)
- Used for corneal injury from chemical, radiation, or thermal burns, or penetration of a foreign body
- Apply a small ribbon of ointment directly to the affected eye as directed by your prescriber
- Do not inject this product into the eye — it is for external ophthalmic use only
- Do not introduce the ointment into the anterior chamber (inner fluid-filled space) of the eye
- If using for 10 days or longer, your eye pressure should be monitored regularly by your doctor
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands
How Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.
3 companies list 3 Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic product records with the FDA, mostly as eye ointment; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1995. Brand names on the directory include Welly Polka First Aid Kit, Kroger; the rest are generics.
Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Kit (3) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.
Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.
How widely Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is used (Medicaid data)
A general measure of how commonly Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.
Think of this as a proxy for how widely Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.
How commonly is Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic ranks #1,293 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 19% of them.
Utilization by Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic product
Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.
Other Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic products — combination packs and listings not yet matched to a specific clinical product (kept visible so every prescription is accounted for)
Summed across the 2 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity.
Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.
Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 2 of 7 listed Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic NDCs with Medicaid activity.
Compare Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic products
A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)
| Strength | Route | Manufacturer / Labeler | Category ⓘ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💊Eye ointment | ||||
| NEOMYCIN SULFATE 3.5 mg/g; POLYMYXIN B SULFATE 10000 [USP'U]/g; BACITRACIN ZINC 400 [USP'U]/g; HYDROCORTISONE 10 mg/g | Ophthalmic | Bausch & Lomb Incorporated | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Kits | ||||
| — | — | Dongguan Shenglian Tins Products Co., Ltd. | OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG | View NDC → |
| — | Topical | Kroger | OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG | View NDC → |
Showing 3 of 3 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic side effects reported to the FDA (FAERS)
After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic FDA approval history
How Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.
Source: Drugs@FDA.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic recall history
A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.
The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone recalls since July 2021.
✅No Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone recalls on record since July 2021Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic supply and shortage status
Whether Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is in short supply in the U.S. right now, plus any shortage history the FDA has on record. A shortage usually reflects a manufacturing or demand issue — not a safety problem with the drug.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
💵 What Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)
The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.
| Form | Strength | Pharmacy acquisition benchmark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ointment · Ophthalmic | 400; 10; 3.5; 10000 [USP'U]/g; mg/g; mg/g; [USP'U]/g | $5.52 per gram | NDC details & price history |
| Ointment · Ophthalmic | NEOMYCIN SULFATE 3.5 mg/g; POLYMYXIN B SULFATE 10000 [USP'U]/g; BACITRACIN ZINC 400 [USP'U]/g; HYDROCORTISONE 10 mg/g | $5.52 per gram | NDC details & price history |
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic brand names
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic is sold under 2 brand names in the FDA directory — Welly Polka First Aid Kit, Kroger. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.
Who makes Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic: manufacturers and labelers
3 companies list Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Dongguan Shenglian Tins Products Co., Ltd., Kroger. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic drug class (RxNorm)
Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic belongs to the Other antibiotics for topical use class.
Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.
Sources for this Neomycin, Polymyxin, Bacitracin, and Hydrocortisone Ophthalmic page
Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.
How this page is built
HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Akorn is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →