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Neomycin

Warning

This medication can rarely cause serious kidney problems and nerve damage, resulting in permanent hearing loss (including deafness or decreased hearing) and balance problems. These serious side effects may occur even in people without kidney problems and taking usual doses. Hearing problems may occur long after neomycin has been stopped. The risk is increased if you are older, already have kidney disease, or if you have a severe loss of body water (dehydration). Your risk is also increased if you receive high doses, or with longer use of this medication. Careful monitoring by your doctor (which may include hearing, kidney, and urine tests) will reduce the risk of these side effects. Avoid other medications that may increase your risk for these serious side effects if taken together with neomycin (See also Drug Interactions section). Tell your doctor right away if you notice any signs of these serious side effects, including: ringing/roaring sounds in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness, or an unusual decrease in the amount of your urine.

Severe muscle and breathing problems may also rarely occur.

Precautions

Before taking neomycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as tobramycin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: hearing problems (including deafness, decreased hearing), intestinal problems (including blockage, swelling, ulcers), kidney problems, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease.

High doses or longer use of neomycin may cause your body to not properly absorb some foods, nutrients (such as iron, Vitamins A and B-12), and drugs (such as digoxin, warfarin). Consult your doctor for more details.

Neomycin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using neomycin before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Newborn and premature babies may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially hearing problems.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Although there have been reports of harm in babies born to women using similar drugs, the risk for harm may not be the same with this drug. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. However, many doctors consider breastfeeding safe while using this medication. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: difficulty walking, numbness/tingling, muscle twitching or weakness, seizure.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.