Generic drug: neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone
Brand name: Maxitrol
What is Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone), and how does it work?
Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone) 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.
What are the side effects of Maxitrol?
- 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.
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.

SLIDESHOW
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments See SlideshowSummary
Maxitrol (neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates and dexamethasone) 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.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Recognize These Common Eye Problems
Eye diseases can cause damage and blindness if not treated soon enough. Learn the warning signs and symptoms of common eye...
-
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments
How do you get pink eye? And how contagious is pinkeye? If you woke up with crusty eyelids and red, swollen eyes, you may have...
-
Eye Health: Why Are My Eyes Watery?
Always tearing up? Everyday things can make your eyes water, but so can some medical conditions.
-
Eye Health: What Your Eye Symptoms May Mean
Will your eye condition clear up, or is it a warning sign of a critical eye health issue? Learn about common eye symptoms, what...
-
Dry Eye Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
What causes dry eye? Take this quiz to learn about dry eye syndrome and what can be done about it.
-
Eye Problems & Conditions Quiz
What do you know about your eyes? Take this quick quiz to learn about a range of eye diseases and conditions.
-
Picture of Eye Allergies
Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a common reason for visits to the allergist or ophthalmologist. See...
-
Picture of Eye Anatomy Detail
The eye has a number of components which include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic...
-
Picture of Eye
The eye has a number of components which include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic...
-
Eye Health: 11 Tips for Healthy Eyesight
Sharp eyesight is part of good health. Improve vision by eating well and scheduling regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist...
-
Eye Health: How Eye Color and Shape Can Affect Your Health
Eye color is linked to eye cancer, trustworthiness, type 1 diabetes, hearing loss, alcohol dependence, endometriosis, response to...
-
Eye Health: Changes in Vision as You Age
What are your eye problems? Conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, droopy eyelids, age-related macular degeneration, and other eye...
-
Eye Health: Eye Mistakes You Might Be Making
You may be hurting your eyes and not even know it. Find out if you are and what you can do to stop it.
-
Eye Health: Foods, Vitamins and Nutrients to Improve Eyesight
Eye Health: Foods, Vitamins and Nutrients to Improve Eyesight
-
Eye Health: Worst Foods for Your Eyes
What you eat can play a major role in the health of your eyes. Find out which foods to cut down on and some that will help keep...
-
Itchy Eyes? Top 13 Ways to Tame Eye Allergies
Do you need eye drops? Eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, cause itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms. Avoiding...
-
Eyeglasses and Frames: Glasses for Presbyopia, Sunglasses, Eye Problems
Learn about your eye care needs and fashion wishes -- with eye glasses, frames and eyewear for computer use, reading, driving,...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, is redness or irritation of the conjunctivae, the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids and the membranes covering the whites of the eyes. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents.
-
Eye Strain
Eye strain is a symptom caused by looking at something for a long time. Symptoms and signs include redness, light sensitivity, headaches, and blurred vision. Symptoms may be treated by closing the eyes and taking a break from the visual task.
-
What Are Some Common Eye Infections?
An eye infection is a condition in which viruses, bacteria or other microbial agents may attack the eye. This can cause itching around the eyes or the eyes may turn pink. The infection can affect the eyelid, cornea or conjuctiva (inside lining of the eyelid).
-
Eye Allergy
Eye allergy (or allergic eye disease) are typically associated with hay fever and atopic dermatitis. Medications and cosmetics may cause eye allergies. Allergic eye conditions include allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis with atopic dermatitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Dry eye, tear-duct obstruction, and conjunctivitis due to infection are frequently confused with eye allergies. Eye allergies may be treated with topical antihistamines, decongestants, topical mast-cell stabilizers, topical anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic medications, and allergy shots.
-
Is Pinkeye Contagious?
Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the conjunctiva. Whether pinkeye is contagious depends upon what is causing the irritation. With pinkeye, people may experience swollen eyelids, a pinkish color in the whites of the eyes, eye discharge, photophobia, increased tear production, and itching.
-
Eye Problems and Diabetes
Diabetes and eye problems are generally caused by high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time. Types of eye problems in a person with diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Examples of symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eye aches, pain, halos around lights, loss of vision, watering eyes. Treatment for eye problems in people with diabetes depend on the type of eye problem. Prevention of eye problems include reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
-
What Does An Eye Infection Look Like?
An eye infection may bring about the following changes in the eye: A pink tint in the whites of the eye, swollen red or purple eyelids, crusty lashes or lids, and/or discharge of fluids which may be yellow, green or clear.
-
What Are the Types of Eye Care?
Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an OTC eye care product.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Health News
- Ozempic: Dieters Who Use Scarce Diabetes Drug Could Face Side Effects
- Sports-Linked Cardiac Arrest Rare in Seniors, Study Finds
- Sepsis Raises Odds for Heart Failure After Hospital Discharge
- After Baby Formula Scandal, FDA Announces New Unit Focused on Food Safety
- Many Seniors Shunned In-Home Care During Pandemic, Worsening Health
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

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.