If you take too much Polytrim, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Polytrim is available as an ophthalmic solution that contains 10,000 units/ml of polymyxin B and 1 mg/mL of trimethoprim.
Active ingredient(s): polymyxin b sulfate, trimethoprim sulfate
Inactive ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, purified water, sodium chloride, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy. Polytrim falls into category C. No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Polytrim should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Polytrim (polymyxin B/trimethoprim) is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections on the surface of the eye. It is a solution containing 2 medications, polymyxin B and trimethoprim. Both polymyxin B and trimethoprim belong to a group of drugs called antibiotics, which work by stopping the growth of bacteria.
This medication comes in the form of an eye drop. It is used every 3 hours, up to 6 times a day, for a period of 7 to 10 days.
Common side effects of Polytrim include redness, burning, and itching of the eyes. Polytrim can also cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Polytrim affects you.
Serious side effects have been reported with Polytrim including the following:
Hypersensitivity reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction:
- swelling of the eyelid(s)
- itching of the eye(s)
- increased redness of the eye(s)
- tearing
- rash around the eye(s)
Polytrim can cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Do not take Polytrim if you are allergic to Polytrim or to any of its ingredients.
Before taking Polytrim, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to any ingredient in Polytrim
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Polytrim, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.
Use Polytrim exactly as prescribed.
Polytrim comes in solution form and is used every 3 hours, up to 6 times a day.
If you miss a dose, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses of Polytrim at the same time.
No Polytrim drug interactions have been identified. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.
Serious side effects have been reported with Polytrim. See the “Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects include local irritation of the eye, including redness, burning, and itching.
This is not a complete list of Polytrim side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Polytrim (polymyxin B/trimethoprim) is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections on the surface of the eye.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Store Polytrim at 15-25°C (59-77°F) and protect from light.
- Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
It is not known if Polytrim crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Polytrim.
Use Polytrim exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
The Polytrim dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following:
- the condition being treated
- other medical conditions you have
- other medications you are taking
- how you respond to this medication
The recommended dose range for Polytrim is 1 drop into the affected eye(s) every 3 hours, with a maximum of 6 doses per day.