Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 5, 2022.
Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside
Uses for neomycin
Neomycin belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Neomycin topical preparations are used to help prevent infections of the skin. Neomycin may be used for other problems as determined by your doctor.
Neomycin topical preparations are available without a prescription.
Before using neomycin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For neomycin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to neomycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies on neomycin have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of topical neomycin in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of topical neomycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol
Certain medicines should not be u...
