What is neomycin?
Neomycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Neomycin is used to reduce the risk of infection during surgery of your intestines. Neomycin is also used to reduce the symptoms of hepatic coma.
Neomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about neomycin?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to neomycin or similar antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
You should not take neomycin if you have ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, a blockage in your intestines, or other inflammatory bowel disease.
Do not use neomycin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Before you take neomycin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, or Parkinson's disease.
Never take neomycin in larger amounts than recommended, or for longer than 2 weeks. High doses or long-term use of neomycin can cause serious kidney problems, or hearing loss that may not be reversible. The longer you take neomycin, the more likely you are to develop these serious side effects.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your kidney function, and your nerve and muscle function will need to be tested often. You may also need hearing tests. Neomycin can have long lasting effects on your body. Do not miss any follow up visits to your doctor for blood or urine tests.
Neomycin can harm your kidneys, and this effect is increased when you also use certain other medicines harmful to the kidneys. Before using neomycin, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can be harmful to the kidneys.
If you are being treated for hepatic coma, avoid eating foods that are high in protein. Follow your doctor's instructions about any other restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking neomycin?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to neomycin or similar antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
You should not take neomycin if you have ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, a blockage in your intestines, or other inflammatory bowel disease.
To make sure you can safely take neomycin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
myasthenia gravis; or
Parkinson's disease.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use neomycin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether neomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using neomycin.