![neomycin sulfate, polymyxin b sulfate and dexamethasone 3.5 mg/mL; 10000 [USP'U]/mL; 1 mg/mL Suspension, 5 mL — NDC 69918-0515-05 package photo](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/image.cfm?setid=191c1a56-194f-4876-b501-2f8aee447d83&name=neomycin-04.jpg)
neomycin sulfate, polymyxin b sulfate and dexamethasone 3.5 mg/mL; 10000 [USP'U]/mL; 1 mg/mL Suspension, 5 mL
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Corticosteroid class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
Dexamethasone reduces the irritation, redness, burning, and swelling of eye caused by chemicals, heat, radiation, infection, allergy, or foreign bodies in the eye. It is sometimes used after eye surgery.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- It's actually treating both at once. This product combines a steroid (dexamethasone) to calm inflammation in your eye and two antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B) to fight or pre...
- What exactly is this eye medication treating — is it for an infection or for inflammation?
- Shake the bottle well before each use — the medication is a suspension and settles if left still. Tilt your head back, pull down your lower lid slightly, and place the drops into t...
- Tilt your head back and place a finger gently under your eye to pull the lower lid down, forming a small 'V' pocket. Squeeze a small ribbon of ointment — about half an inch — into...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII F5UM2KM3W7
Benzalkonium chloride is a chemical compound that works as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in medications. It prevents bacterial and fungal growth in liquid formulations to keep the product safe during storage and use.
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UNII QTT17582CB
A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
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UNII RN3152OP35
Hypromellose is a plant-based thickener and film-former derived from cellulose. In medicines, it's used to create coatings on tablets and capsules, control how fast the drug dissolves, and improve the product's texture and stability.
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UNII 7T1F30V5YH
A synthetic emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together and keeps them from separating in liquid formulations.
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UNII 451W47IQ8X
Sodium chloride is common table salt. It's used in medicines as a buffer to maintain proper pH, as a filler to add bulk, or to adjust the osmotic balance in liquid formulations.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
7 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $1.704 | $8.52 / 5 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $3.14 | $15.72 / 5 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly | No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data. | |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
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⏳ Availability & generic status
FDA-approved generic versions are listed, and recent pricing/market data suggests they may be available — see Therapeutic equivalents.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69918-0515-05 You're viewing this | 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE, PLASTIC (69918-515-05) | 2025-03-31 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE For steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where bacterial infection or a risk of bacterial infection exists. Ocular corticosteroids are indicated in inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the globe where the inherent risk of corticosteroids use in certain infective conjunctivitides is accepted to obtain a diminution in edema and inflammation. They are also indicated in chronic anterior uveitis and corneal injury from chemical, radiation or thermal burns; or penetration of foreign bodies.
The use of a combination drug with an anti-infective component is indicated where the risk of infection is high or where there is an expectation that potentially dangerous numbers of bacteria will be present in the eye. The particular anti-infective drug in this product is active against the following common bacterial eye pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae , Klebsiella /Enterobacter species, Neisseria species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . This product does not provide adequate coverage against: Serratia marcescens and S treptococci , including Streptococcus pneumoniae .
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One to two drops in the conjunctival sac(s). In severe disease, drops may be used hourly, being tapered to discontinuation as the inflammation subsides. In mild disease, drops may be used up to four to six times daily. Not more than 20 mL should be prescribed initially, and the prescription should not be refilled without further evaluation as outlined in PRECAUTIONS above.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension is also contraindicated in individuals with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation and to other corticosteroids.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS NOT FOR INJECTION. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution; frequent slit lamp microscopy is recommended.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Prolonged use may also suppress the host immune response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. Acute purulent or parasitic infections of the eye may be masked or activity enhanced by the presence of corticosteroid medication.
Various ocular diseases and long-term use of topical corticosteroids have been known to cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of topical corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation. If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure (IOP) should be routinely monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients.
Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. IOP should be checked frequently. The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.
Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension is not for injection. It should never be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be directly introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye. Products containing neomycin sulfate may cause cutaneous sensitization.
Sensitivity to topically administered aminoglycosides, such as neomycin, may occur in some patients. Severity of hypersensitivity reactions may vary from local effects to generalized reactions such as erythema, itching, urticaria, skin rash, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, or bullous reactions. If hypersensitivity develops during use of the product, treatment should be discontinued.
Cross-hypersensitivity to other aminoglycosides can occur, and the possibility that patients who become sensitized to topical neomycin may also be sensitive to other topical and/or systemic aminoglycosides should be considered.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Adverse reactions have occurred with corticosteroid/anti-infective combination drugs which can be attributed to the corticosteroid component, the anti-infective component, or the combination. Exact incidence figures are not available since no denominator of treated patients is available. Reactions occurring most often from the presence of the anti-infective ingredient are allergic sensitizations.
The reactions due to the corticosteroid component are: elevation of IOP with possible development of glaucoma, and infrequent optic nerve damage; posterior subcapsular cataract formation; and delayed wound healing. Corticosteroid-containing preparations have also been reported to cause perforation of the globe. Keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and conjunctival hyperemia have occasionally been reported following use of steroids.
Additional adverse reactions identified from post marketing use include ulcerative keratitis, headache, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The following additional adverse reactions have been reported with dexamethasone use: Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression may occur after use of dexamethasone in excess of the listed dosing instructions in predisposed patients, including children and patients treated with CYP3A4 inhibitors.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Dexamethasone has been shown to be teratogenic in mice and rabbits following topical ophthalmic application in multiples of the therapeutic dose. In the mouse, corticosteroids produce fetal resorptions and a specific abnormality, cleft palate. In the rabbit, corticosteroids have produced fetal resorptions and multiple abnormalities involving the head, ears, limbs, palate, etc.
There are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, prolonged or repeated corticoid use during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of intra-uterine growth retardation. Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the embryo or fetus.
Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be observed carefully for signs of hypoadrenalism.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory response to a variety of agents and they probably delay or slow healing. Since corticosteroids may inhibit the body’s defense mechanism against infection, a concomitant antimicrobial drug may be used when this inhibition is considered to be clinically significant in a particular case. When a decision to administer both a corticosteroid and an antimicrobial is made, the administration of such drugs in combination has the advantage of greater patient compliance and convenience, with the added assurance that the appropriate dosage of both drugs is administered, plus assured compatibility of ingredients when both types of drugs are in the same formulation and, particularly, that the correct volume of drug is delivered and retained.
The relative potency of corticosteroids depends on the molecular structure, concentration and release from the vehicle.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension is supplied as a sterile ophthalmic suspension in a white, low density polyethylene dispenser with a pink, polypropylene cap as follows: 5 mL in 8 mL bottle NDC 69918-515-05 Storage : Store upright at 8°C to 27°C (46°F to 80°F). After opening, Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension is a multiple dose anti-infective steroid combination in sterile suspension form for topical application. The chemical structure for the active ingredient, dexamethasone, is: Molecular Weight = 392.45 g/mol C 22 H 29 FO 5 Established name: dexamethasone Chemical name: pregna-1, 4-diene-3, 20-dione,9-fluoro-11,17, 21-trihydroxy-16-methyl-, (11β, 16α)-. The other active ingredients are neomycin sulfate and polymyxin B sulfate.
The structural formula for neomycin sulfate is: Neomycin B (R 1 =H, R 2 =CH 2 NH 2 ) Neomycin C (R 1 =CH 2 NH 2 , R 2 =H) The structural formula for polymyxin B sulfate is: Each mL of Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension contains: Actives: neomycin sulfate equivalent to neomycin 3.5 mg, polymyxin B sulfate 10,000 units, dexamethasone 0.1%. Inactives: benzalkonium chloride 0.004% (preservative), hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), hypromellose 2910 0.5%, polysorbate 20, purified water, sodium chloride.
NEOMYCIN SULFATE The structural formula for neomycin sulfate The structural formula for polymyxin B sulfate
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients If inflammation or pain persists longer than 48 hours or becomes aggravated, the patient should be advised to discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician. This product is sterile when packaged. To prevent contamination, care should be taken to avoid touching the bottle tip to eyelids or to any other surface.
The use of this bottle by more than one person may spread infection. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep out of reach of children.
Patients should be advised that their vision may be temporarily blurred following dosing with Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension. Care should be exercised in operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.