Neomycin-Bacitracin-Poly-HC

Pronounced

"nee-oh-MY-sin/ba-sih-TRAY-sin/paw-lee-MIX-in/hi-dro-KOR-tih-sown"

Common brand names:

Cortisporin

Uses

This medication is used to treat or prevent bacterial eye infections. This product contains neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin, which are antibiotics that work by stopping the growth of bacteria. It also contains hydrocortisone, which is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that works by reducing swelling.

This medication treats/prevents only bacterial eye infections. It will not work for other types of eye infections. Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

How to Use This Medication

Use this medication to the eye(s) as directed by your doctor, usually every 3 or 4 hours.

Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine. Sterilize contact lenses according to manufacturer's directions, and check with your doctor before you begin using them again.

To apply the eye ointment, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the tube tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Place a 1/2 inch (1.5 centimeters) strip of ointment into the pouch by squeezing the tube gently. Close the eye and roll the eyeball in all directions to spread the medication. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed. Wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue to remove excess medication before recapping it. Apply as often as directed by your doctor.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), apply the eye drops first and wait at least 5 minutes before applying this eye ointment. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. If you are using another type of eye ointment, wait at least 10 minutes after using this medication before applying it.

Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Continue to use this medication for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Inform your doctor if there is no improvement in your condition after 2 days of treatment with this medication.

Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

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.

Learn more about First DataBank

There are some limitations on the information provided in “Nutrient Interactions.” Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. Please read the disclaimer.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

TraceGains and/or its suppliers make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of this content herein or that of any organization referred or linked to within this content and will not be liable for any damages arising out of your access to or use of any information found herein or that of any organization referred to within this content.

Information expires December 2025.