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Table of Contents > Drugs >  Neomycin and Dexamethasone
Neomycin and Dexamethasone
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(nee oh MYE sin & deks a METH a sone)

Brand Names
AK-Neo-Dex®; NeoDecadron®; Neo-Dexameth®

Therapeutic Categories
Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic; Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Topical

What is this medicine used for?

  • Neomycin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
  • Dexamethasone is used to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, and itching.
  • The eye drops are used in steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions in which dexamethasone is indicated.
  • The skin cream is used to help prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and to treat itching, swelling, or irritation.


How does it work?

  • Neomycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
  • Dexamethasone prevents/reduces irritation and swelling.


How is it best taken?

  • Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
  • Skin:
    • Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
    • Wash your hands before and after use.
    • Clean affected area before use.
    • Use in a small amount over the area affected as a light film. Rub in gently.
    • Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
  • Eye:
    • For the eye only.
    • Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
    • Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Solution:
    • Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
    • After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
    • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.
  • Ointment:
    • Place medicine inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1-2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.
    • Separate each eye medicine by 10 minutes. Give one and wait 10 minutes before using the next.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Skin:
    • Burning, itching, redness, dryness.
  • Eye:
    • Bright lights may be irritating. Keep sunglasses with you.
    • Blurred vision. Use caution when driving, or doing tasks that need clear vision.
    • Stinging after putting drops in eye.


What should I monitor?

  • Follow up with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store at room temperature.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.

  
  

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