bacitracin/polymixin-B (Polysporin, Ocumycin)

Introduction

A combination of bacitracin + polymixin.

Indications

• treat/prevent superficial bacterial skin infections due to susceptible gram (+) organisms
  • Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, anaerobic cocci, Corynebacterium, Clostridia)
• treatment of eye infections
  • conjunctivits, keratoconjunctivitis, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, meibomitis, dacryocystitis, corneal ulcers

Contraindications

pregnancy-category C

safety in lactation ?

Dosage

Topical Agent:

• Apply ointment/aerosol/powder 2-5 times/day.

Ophthalmic agent: ointment every 3-4 hours or BID-QID

Adverse effects

• not common (1-10%)
  • rash, itching, burning, anaphylactoid reactions, swelling, conjunctival erythema

Mechanism of action

• inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
• acts as a cationic detergent

More general terms

• antibiotic combination

Components

• bacitracin (AK-tracin)
• polymixin B (Aerosporin)