Bacitracin Polymyxin B

Bacitracin Polymyxin B Brand Names

AK-Poly Bac | Double Antibiotic | Polycin | Polycin-B | Polysporin | Polytracin | Simply Neosporin

What is Bacitracin Polymyxin B

Bacitracin polymyxin B are used together in ophthalmic and topical preparations.

The ophthalmic preparations are indicated for the treatment of ocular bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, blepharitis, and blepharoconjunctivitis.

The topical preparations are used to prevent superficial skin infections on minor cuts, abrasions, and burn wounds. Bacitracin is a mixture of cyclic polypeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis.

Polymyxin B is a polypeptide antibiotic derived from a strain of Bacillus polymyxa. The combined use of bacitracin and polymyxin B provides a wide antibacterial spectrum.

Polymyxin B is primarily active against gram-negative, aerobic bacteria, while bacitracin is effective against gram-positive bacteria.

The FDA approved bacitracin and polymyxin B ophthalmic preparations prior to 1982 and the first topical product was FDA-approved in March 1985.

Indications

1. bacterial conjunctivitis
2. blepharitis
3. blepharoconjunctivitis
4. burn wound infection
5. Enterobacter sp.
6. Escherichia coli
7. Haemophilus influenzae (beta-lactamase negative)
8. Haemophilus influenzae (beta-lactamase positive)
9. keratitis
10. keratoconjunctivitis
11. Klebsiella sp.
12. Neisseria sp.
13. ophthalmic infection
14. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
15. skin abrasion
16. skin and skin structure infections
17. Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
18. Streptococcus pneumoniae
19. Streptococcus sp.
20. wound management

Side Effects

1. anaphylactoid reactions
2. edema
3. erythema
4. ocular pruritus
5. pruritus
6. rash
7. superinfection

Monitoring Parameters

• ophthalmologic exam

Contraindications

• breast-feeding
• children
• contact lenses
• diarrhea
• fungal infection
• geriatric
• herpes infection
• infants
• mycobacterial infection
• neonates
• ophthalmic administration
• polymyxin hypersensitivity
• pregnancy
• pseudomembranous colitis
• renal failure
• renal impairment
• tuberculosis
• varicella
• viral infection

Interactions

• Amphotericin B
• Amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD)
• Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)
• Amphotericin B liposomal (LAmB)
• Bumetanide
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Furosemide
• Loop diuretics
• Torsemide