What Is Neomycin B?

Neomycin B is a preparation of neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic with a broad spectrum of action capable of attacking Gram negative and positive bacteria. It is usually given topically in sulfate form, often in an irrigation solution or topical cream. Pharmacies stock neomycin B to fill prescriptions and can compound custom formulations by request. It is also available for hospital use through pharmaceutical companies and medical suppliers.

One use for this antibiotic is in presurgical patient preparation, to eliminate infectious organisms and bring down on the risk of infection. For intestinal surgery, surgeons may use neomycin B in irrigation fluid to keep the surgical wound clean and wash out any infectious organisms and debris. This will cut down on the risks during healing, keeping the patient's gut as healthy as possible. It is also available to irrigate the eyes and nose, or to treat skin infections. Patients may receive this drug in a hospital environment or in a prescription to use at home.

This antibiotic may be paired with a steroid for the treatment of some conditions, sometimes in a compounded formula featuring both medications. Combined medications can be useful for making sure patients take all their medications and get them in the right dosage. With eye care, for example, intolerance of eye drops can make it difficult for patients to adhere to a dosing regimen, and a combination solution will reduce the risks of this problem by allowing the patient to take both medications in a single eye drop or eyewash.

Formulations of neomycin B in sprays and creams are available to treat cuts, scrapes, and other skin infections. The antibiotic can be prophylactic in nature, preventing the onset of infection by making the environment hostile to bacteria. It can also be suitable for treating some kinds of infections, depending on the organism causing the problem and the patient's responsiveness to the drug.

Doctors have a number of antibiotics to choose from for prevention and management of infections. Neomycin B is one available option a doctor may consider, depending on experience, personal preference, and the case. If a patient starts to develop repeat infections, the doctor may request a culture to learn more about what is happening and to determine if a different antibiotic would be more suitable for managing future outbreaks. It is possible for bacteria to develop resistance to neomycin B, creating a recurrent infection that will not resolve until the patient receives treatment with a different drug.