Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Bacitracin, Hydrocortisone
Acetate 1% Ophthalmic Ointment
STERILE - ANTIBACTERIAL - ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment is
indicated for the treatment of superficial bacterial infections of the
eyelid and conjunctiva in dogs and cats when due to organisms susceptible to
the antibiotics contained in the ointment. May be used in acute or chronic
conjunctivitis. Laboratory tests should be conducted including in vitro
culturing and susceptibility tests on samples collected prior to treatment.
The three antibiotics present in bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin-HC
veterinary ophthalmic ointment [Vetropolycin®
HC and other brands] provide a broad spectrum of activity against the
gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria commonly involved in superficial
infections of the eyelid and conjunctiva. Bacitracin is effective against
gram-positive bacteria including hemolytic and non-hemolytic Streptococci
and Staphylococci. Resistant strains rarely develop. Neomycin is effective
against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including
Staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae and many strains
of Proteus and Pseudomonas. Polymyxin B is bactericidal to gram-negative
bacteria especially Pseudomonas. No resistant strains have been found to
develop in vivo.
Hydrocortisone acetate exerts a marked
anti-inflammatory action at the tissue level and effectively suppresses
inflammation in many disorders of the anterior segment of the eye. Local
application to the eye often gives rapid relief of pain and photophobia,
particularly in lesions of the cornea.
The combined anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
activity of Bacitracin-Neomycin-Polymyxin-Hydrocortisone Acetate 1%
Veterinary Ophthalmic Ointment permits effective management of many
disorders of the anterior segment of the eye in which combined activity is
needed.
Dosage and Administration: Apply a thin film
over the cornea three or four times daily in dogs and cats. The area should
be properly cleansed prior to the use of Vetropolycin® (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin)
veterinary ophthalmic ointment. Foreign bodies, crusted exudates, and debris
should be carefully removed.
Contraindications: Ophthalmic
preparations containing corticosteroids are contraindicated in the treatment
of those deep, ulcerative lesions of the cornea where the inner layer
(endothelium) is involved, in fungal infections and in the presence of viral
infections.
Description: Each gram contains
Bacitracin Zinc 400 units, Neomycin Sulfate 5 mg (equivalent to 3.5 mg of
Neomycin Base), Polymyxin B Sulfate 10,000 units, Hydrocortisone Acetate 10
mg (1%), in a base of White Petrolatum and Mineral Oil.
Precautions: Sensitivity to this ophthalmic
ointment is rare, however, if a reaction occurs, discontinue use of the
preparation.
The prolonged use of antibiotic-containing
preparations may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including
fungi. Appropriate measures should be taken if this occurs. If infection
does not respond to treatment in two or three days, the diagnosis and
therapy should be reevaluated. Animals under treatment with this product
should be observed for usual signs of corticosteroid overdose which include
polydipsia, polyuria and occasionally an increase in weight.
Use of corticosteroids, depending on dose, duration,
and specific steroid, may result in inhibition of endogenous steroid
production following drug withdrawal. In patients presently receiving or
recently withdrawn from systemic corticosteroid treatments, therapy with a
rapidly acting corticosteroid should be considered in unusually stressful
situations. Care should be taken not to contaminate the applicator tip
during administration of the preparation.
Care should be taken not to contaminate the
applicator tip of the tube during application of the preparation. Do not
allow the applicator tip to come in contact with any tissue.
Adverse Reactions: Itching, burning or
inflammation may occur in animals sensitive to the product. Discontinue use
in such cases. SAP and SGPT (ALT) enzyme elevations, polydipsia and
polyuria have occurred following parenteral or systemic use of synthetic
corticosteroids in dogs. Vomiting and diarrhea (occasionally bloody) have
been observed in dogs.
Cushings syndrome in dogs has been reported in
association with prolonged or repeated steroid therapy.
Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to
use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Warning: All topical ophthalmic
preparations containing corticosteroids with or without an antimicrobial
agent, are contraindicated in the initial treatment of corneal ulcers. They
should not be used until the infection is under control and corneal
regeneration is well under way. Clinical and experimental data have
demonstrated that corticosteroids administered orally or by injection to
animals may induce the first stage of parturition if used during the last
trimester of pregnancy and may precipitate premature parturition followed by
dystocia, fetal death, retained placenta, and metritis.
Additionally corticosteroids administered to dogs, rabbits,
and rodents during pregnancy have resulted in cleft palate in offspring.
Corticosteroids administered to dogs during pregnancy have also resulted in
other congenital anomalies, including deformed forelegs, phocomelia, and
anasarca.
How Supplied: 3.5 g [1/8 oz]
sterile tamper proof tubes.
Storage: 15°-25°C (59°-77°F).