Polysporin

Empyema, Pink Eye, Pneumonia + 17 more

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Polysporin

Treatment for

Empyema

What is Polysporin

Bacitracin

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Polymyxin B is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections caused by certain strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was first discovered in the 1940s and works by disrupting the membrane of the bacteria. It is not effective against gram-positive bacteria, fungi or other types of bacteria, so it should only be used to treat infections caused by the specific strain it targets. Polymyxin B can have serious side effects, so it should only be used as a last resort.

Bacitracin

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Polysporin Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Bacitracin

1948

Effectiveness

How Polysporin Affects Patients

Polymyxin B is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. It works by damaging the outer cell membrane of the bacteria and stopping their respiration. It is usually given through various routes, though it is not well absorbed into the body and does not change when it is metabolized. Polymyxin B is generally used to treat infections of the urinary tract, meninges, and blood stream.

How Polysporin works in the body

Polymyxin B works on Gram-negative bacteria by forming an electrostatic bond with the negatively charged lipids in the bacterial outer membrane. This bond causes the cell to become permeable, leading to leakage and eventually death. Polymyxin also binds to LPS molecules released during bacterial lysis and prevents reactions to endotoxin. Lastly, it inhibits respiration by blocking an enzyme in the inner membrane of the bacteria. Polymyxin is effective against most types of Gram-negative bacteria, but doesn't affect Gram-positive bacteria or anaerobic bacteria.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Polysporin is subject to the diagnosed condition, including Urinary tract infection, Acute Otitis Media (AOM) and Otorrhoea. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the mode of delivery (e.g. Topical or Suspension / drops - Auricular (otic)) featured in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Acne Vulgaris

0.5 [USP'U]/mg, , 0.4 [USP'U]/mg, 0.5 [iU]/mg, 0.4 [iU]/mg, 0.0004 mg/mg, 5000.0 [iU]/mL, 50000.0 [USP'U], 0.4 units/mg, 0.5 units/mg, 400.0 [USP'U], 0.4178 [iU]/mg, 0.6 [USP'U]/mg, 50000.0 units, 1.25 %, 5000.0 [USP'U]/mL, 50000.0 [iU], 0.04 units/mg, 0.0041 mg/mg, 0.0051 mg/mg, 5000.0 units/mL, 0.0486 mg/hour, 400.0 mg/mg, 0.005 [USP'U]/mg, 1.0 mg, 6.0 mg/mL, 400.0 mg/mL, 1.2 [USP'U]/mg, 0.8 [iU]/mg, 0.00048 mg/mg, 0.25 units/mg, 0.065 units/mg, 5.0 units/mg, 500.0 units/mL, 0.05 units/mg

Ointment - Topical, Topical, , Ointment, Ointment - Ophthalmic, Ophthalmic, Liquid - Topical, Liquid, Intramuscular, Injection, powder, for solution - Intramuscular, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Stick - Topical, Powder - Topical, Spray - Topical, Spray, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Topical, Intramuscular; Topical, Powder, for solution, Cream, Cream - Topical, Powder, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular, Kit, Kit - Topical, Gel - Topical, Ointment - Ophthalmic; Topical, Stick, Lozenge, Oral, Gel, Swab - Topical, Ophthalmic; Topical, Ointment; Swab - Topical, Oral; Topical, Kit - Oral; Topical, Lozenge - Oral, Swab, Ointment; Swab, Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Topical, Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Topical, Kit - Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Ophthalmic, Kit - Ophthalmic; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Ophthalmic; Topical, Kit - Ophthalmic; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Electro-osmosis, Ophthalmic; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Electro-osmosis, Ophthalmic; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Cutaneous, Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Irrigation; Ophthalmic; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Irrigation; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Patch - Cutaneous, Patch, Kit - Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Irrigation; Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Kit - Ophthalmic; Oral; Topical, Ophthalmic; Oral; Topical, Kit - Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Oral; Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Respiratory (inhalation); Topical, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated - Oral; Topical

Pneumonia

Infection

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Wound Infection

Ocular Inflammatory Disease

Bacterial Infections

Keratoconjunctivitis

Blepharoconjunctivitis

prophylaxis of infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns

infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns

Coinfection

Empyema

Pink Eye

Skin Diseases

Blepharitis

Wound

Eye Infections

Skin Ulcer

Inflammation

Warnings

Polysporin has two contraindications; it should not be utilized for the conditions detailed in the following table.

Polysporin Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Bacitracin may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Polysporin.

Common Polysporin Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Tenofovir

Major

Bacitracin may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir.

Tenofovir alafenamide

Major

Bacitracin may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir alafenamide.

Tenofovir disoproxil

Major

Bacitracin may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir disoproxil.

Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Bacitracin.

Abacavir

Minor

Bacitracin may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.

Polysporin Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Taking too much polymyxin B can cause damage to the kidneys, muscle weakness, confusion, and respiratory arrest. Symptoms of overdose include decreased urine output, increased blood urea nitrogen, and difficulty breathing. Treatment for overdose includes stopping the drug and treating the symptoms. Polymyxin B should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women, or in children under 2 years of age. Elderly patients should have their renal function monitored during treatment.

Polysporin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Polysporin?

At present, 46 active studies are looking into the potential of Polysporin in managing Klebsiella, Otorrhoea and Pseudomonas Infections.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Acne Vulgaris

0 Actively Recruiting

infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns

0 Actively Recruiting

Blepharitis

0 Actively Recruiting

prophylaxis of infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns

0 Actively Recruiting

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

6 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 2

Empyema

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4

Bacterial Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

Pink Eye

0 Actively Recruiting

Skin Diseases

0 Actively Recruiting

Ocular Inflammatory Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Pneumonia

16 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 2

Keratoconjunctivitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Infection

6 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1

Blepharoconjunctivitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Inflammation

0 Actively Recruiting

Wound Infection

0 Actively Recruiting

Wound

9 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable

Skin Ulcer

2 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Not Applicable

Eye Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

Coinfection

0 Actively Recruiting

Polysporin Reviews: What are patients saying about Polysporin?

Patient Review

10/3/2014

Polysporin for Minor Skin Infection caused by Bacteria

Polysporin is my go-to for any kind of wound. It's really saved me on more than one occasion.

Patient Review

7/24/2013

Polysporin for Minor Skin Infection caused by Bacteria

Polysporin quickly and effectively relieved my ingrown hair infection.

Patient Review

10/21/2009

Polysporin for Minor Skin Infection caused by Bacteria

This treatment helped me with my angular cheilitis.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about polysporin

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Which is better Polysporin or Neosporin?

"If the skin is open, it is more likely to become sensitive to an allergen. So, even if the patient wasn't allergic to neomycin before, an allergy can develop later in life after exposure to Neosporin. Because of this, we usually recommend Polysporin."

Answered by AI

Is Polysporin just Vaseline?

"The ointments and creams contain petrolatum while the sprays, lotions, and eye/ear drops do not. The ointments have a large petrolatum base while the creams include other emollients."

Answered by AI

What is Polysporin ointment used for?

"This medication is a combination product that is used to treat minor wounds, such as cuts, scrapes, and burns. It can also help to prevent or treat mild skin infections. Most minor skin infections and wounds will heal without treatment, but some minor skin wounds may heal faster when an antibiotic is applied to the affected area."

Answered by AI

Is Polysporin the same as Neosporin?

"Neosporin contains neomycin, which is not present in Polysporin. Polysporin is the brand name for a product that only contains bacitracin zinc and polymyxin B sulfate. Neosporin is the brand name for a product that contains bacitracin zinc, polymyxin B sulfate, and neomycin sulfate."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Polysporin

Image of Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, United States.

Antibiotic Duration for Infections in Children

60 - 17

All Sexes

Birmingham, AL

Infections like pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection (also called SSTI or cellulitis), and urinary tract infections (UTI) are some of the most common reasons children get admitted to the hospital. All three of these conditions require antibiotics for treatment. Although antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and help children feel better, taking them longer than needed can negatively impact children and their families. Negative impacts include things like the burdens of taking more medications and medication side effects. There are guidelines (instructions) from expert medical organizations that suggest the number of days children need antibiotics, but they give a wide range (between 5 and 14 days). Unfortunately, these guidelines are not based on high-quality studies. National data suggests that doctors often choose on the higher end of this range when writing prescriptions for children in the hospital. Our three caregiver co-investigators, other parents of hospitalized children, doctors, other care providers, and researchers, all believe that additional study is needed to determine the best length of antibiotic treatment that weighs both the benefits and harms of antibiotics. The goal of our study is to understand if 5 total days of antibiotic treatment compared to 10 total days of antibiotic treatment is better for children who have been in the hospital for pneumonia, SSTI, or UTI. We will study this question through a randomized control trial. In other words, half of the children will receive 5-days of antibiotics and the other half will receive 10-days of antibiotics. Children in this study (and their caregivers) will not know how many days of antibiotics they will receive to cure their infection because some children will take a placebo (or a pill without antibiotics in it). Only the pharmacy will know if a child is getting antibiotic or placebo (for days 6-10 of treatment). During the first phase of the trial (feasibility phase), 4 hospitals will enroll children in the study. We plan on enrolling 50 patients during this phase. We are starting with just 4 hospitals, so our study team can create and update our study plans if needed. We will closely review information about how many patients and families agree to participate, and if they have any trouble completing any part of the study. We will also interview families to understand the choice to participate in the study, the choice not to participate in the study, and what it is like to be in the study. During the second study phase, we will enroll 1150 more patients across all 11 hospitals. Families will complete short, daily surveys until the 15th day after they started antibiotics, then a larger survey at day 15, at day 20, and at day 30. These surveys will ask about the child's symptoms and recovery from their illness, how the antibiotics are making them feel, and if they had to go back to their doctor, emergency room, or hospital. The answers to these questions will be combined to measure how well the child did, balancing feeling better and having bad effects from the antibiotics. We will use mathematical tests to determine which antibiotic duration is better for treating these illnesses. We will complete other mathematical tests to see if all children should receive the same length of antibiotics or if certain children should be prescribed shorter courses and others longer courses.

Phase 4

Waitlist Available

Drug

Children's of Alabama (+9 Sites)

Sunitha V Kaiser, MD, MSc