Maxitrol

Medically Reviewed on 9/8/2023

Brand Name: Maxitrol

Generic Name: neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone

Drug Class: Antibiotics/Corticosteroids, Ophthalmic

What is Maxitrol, and what is it used for?

Maxitrol is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of inflammatory ocular conditions/infections. Maxitrol may be used alone or with other medications.

Maxitrol belongs to a class of drugs called Antibiotics/Corticosteroids, Ophthalmic.

Warnings

  • Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). 
  • Prolonged use may result in glaucoma, with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Prolonged use may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions or parasitic infections of the eye, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection.
  • In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids.
  • If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure (IOP) should be routinely monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. IOP should be checked frequently.
  • The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.
  • Products containing neomycin sulfate may cause cutaneous sensitization. 

What are the side effects of Maxitrol?

Possible side effects of Maxitrol include:
  • blurred vision,
  • tunnel vision,
  • eye pain,
  • seeing halos around lights,
  • swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage (may be signs of infection),
  • pain behind your eyes,
  • sudden vision changes, and
  • a wound that will not heal

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Maxitrol include:
  • blurred vision, and
  • mild eye irritation

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Maxitrol. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the dosage for Maxitrol?

Not for injection. Apply a small amount into the conjunctival sac(s) up to three or four times daily.

How to Apply Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment):

  1. Tilt your head back.
  2. Place a finger on your cheek just under your eye and gently pull down until a "V" pocket is formed between your eyeball and your lower lid. 
  3. Place a small amount (about ½ inch) of Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment) in the "V" pocket. Do not let the tip of the tube touch your eye.
  4. Look downward before closing your eye. Not more than 8 g should be prescribed initially and the prescription should not be refilled without further evaluation

What drugs interact with Maxitrol?

There is no current information available on the drug interactions with Maxitrol.

Is Maxitrol safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?

  • There are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
  • Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment) should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the embryo or fetus.
  • Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be observed carefully for signs of hypoadrenalism.
  • Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects.
  • It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk.
  • Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment) is administered to a nursing woman.

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Summary

Maxitrol is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of inflammatory ocular conditions/infections. Possible side effects of Maxitrol include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, seeing halos around lights, swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage (may be signs of infection), pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes, and a wound that will not heal.

Treatment & Diagnosis

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Medically Reviewed on 9/8/2023
References
All sections courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration