Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Optimyxin Plus
What is OPTIMYXIN Plus used for?
- OPTIMYXIN Plus is used to prevent and treat infections of the eye and ear.
- Antibacterial drugs like OPTIMYXIN Plus treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.
How does OPTIMYXIN Plus work?
OPTIMYXIN Plus is an antibiotic that kills and stops the growth of bacteria in the eye and ear.
What are the ingredients in OPTIMYXIN Plus?
Medicinal ingredients: Gramicidin, neomycin and polymyxin B sulfate
Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride and ethyl alcohol
OPTIMYXIN Plus comes in the following dosage form:
As a solution containing 10 000 units of Polymyxin B sulfate, 0.025 mg gramicidin and 1.75 mg neomycin (as neomycin sulfate).
Do not use OPTIMYXIN Plus if you:
- are allergic to gramicidin, neomycin or Polymyxin B sulfate
- are allergic to any of the other ingredients in OPTIMYXIN Plus
are deaf or have hearing loss
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take OPTIMYXIN Plus. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have skin sores or eczema, a skin condition;
- have a hole or tear in your eardrum;
- have had ear infections in the past;
Other warnings you should know about:
Your vision may be blurred for a few minutes after you apply OPTIMYXIN Plus. Do
not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
- OPTIMYXIN Plus is for external use only;
- Do not use if solution changes color or becomes cloudy.
- Do not touch tip of bottle to any surface, including your eye or ear, to avoid contamination;
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take OPTIMYXIN Plus:
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, OPTIMYXIN Plus should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of OPTIMYXIN Plus could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by OPTYMIXIN Plus (resistance). This means that OPTIMYXIN Plus may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine
Applying OTIMYXIN Plus into your eye:
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Tilt your head back or lie down and look up at the ceiling.
- With the eyes open, gently pull the lower eyelid below the eyelashes away from the eye to form a pouch.
- Hold the bottle at least 2 cm away and squeeze one drop into the eye pouch.
- Slowly release the lower lid.
- To prevent the eye drops from being drained from the eye, apply a gentle pressure to the inside corner of the eye with your fingers for one minute..
- If multiple drops are used, wait three to five minutes between each drop.
- Do not let the bottle touch your eye.
- Contact lenses should not be worn until the infection has resolved.
Applying OTIMYXIN Plus into your ear:
- Make sure that your ear is clean and dry before you apply OPTIMYXIN Plus.
- Lie on your side or tilt your head so that that your ear is facing up;
- Gently pull your earlobe up, away from the neck, and squeeze the drop into your ear;
- If multiple drops are to be applied, you can apply them at the same time.
- Let the drops flow into your ear and gently massage the ear around the opening to help them go down;
- Remain in this position for two minutes;
Usual dose:
- The usual dose is one or two drops in the affected eye or ear.
- It is applied two to four times a day.
- Take OPTIMYXIN Plus exactly as directed by your doctor.
Overdose:
| If you think you have taken too much OPTIMYXIN Plus, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using OPTIMYXIN Plus?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking OPTIMYXIN Plus. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- itching, redness, or swelling of the eyes or skin ;
- burning sensation in the eye;
- feeling of grittiness or having something in the eye
- eye discharge
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Kidney problems: abdominal or back pain, changes in your urine, confusion, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, shortness of breath, swelling, weakness. | ✓ | ||
| Hearing problems: changes in hearing, dizziness, poor hearing, problems with balance, ringing in the ears, vertigo (spinning sensation). | ✓ | ||
| Allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, fever, hives, itchy skin, rash, swelling of your tongue or throat. | ✓ | ||
| Eye pain, continued redness or irritation of the eye. | ✓ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
OPTOMYXIN Plus should be stored between 15 and 30oC.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about OPTIMYXIN Plus:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca, or by calling 1-800-361-3062.