Multi Antibiotic With Pain Relief Cream

Bacitracin Vs Neosporin: Differences Similarities And Which Is Better For You

Drug overview & main differences | Conditions treated | Efficacy | Insurance coverage and cost comparison | Side effects | Drug interactions | Warnings | FAQ

A minor cut or scrape can be more than an annoyanceit could turn into an infection. You may want to have a topical antibiotic ointment on hand as part of your first aid kit.

Bacitracin and Neosporin are over-the-counter antibiotic ointments used to prevent infection of minor skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and burns. Both medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . Bacitracin ointment is available in generic form and contains only bacitracin. Neosporin is available in both brand and generic formyou may see it labeled as triple antibiotic ointment. Neosporin contains bacitracin, along with polymyxin B sulfate and neomycin, thus the name triple antibiotic ointment, because it contains three antibiotics.

Although both medications are OTC antibiotic ointments used for wound care, they have some differences, which we will discuss below.

Active Ingredients And Allergies

Bacitracin and Neosporin are both available in ointment forms. Bacitracin is a brand-name drug that contains the active ingredient bacitracin only. Neosporin is the brand name of a combination drug with the active ingredients bacitracin, neomycin, and polymixin b. Other Neosporin products are available, but they contain different active ingredients.

One of the main differences between the two drugs is that some people are allergic to Neosporin but not to Bacitracin. For instance, neomycin, an ingredient in Neosporin, has a higher risk of causing allergic reactions than other ingredients in either drug. Still, Neosporin is safe and works well for most people, like Bacitracin.

Its especially important with over-the-counter products to read the ingredients. Many of these products may have the same or similar brand names but different active ingredients. If you have questions about the ingredients in an over-the-counter product, its better to ask your pharmacist than to guess.

What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Multi Antibiotic Plus

• If you have an allergy to neomycin, polymyxin, pramoxine, or any other part of this medicine .
• If you are allergic to this medicine any part of this medicine or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a very bad burn or cut.
• If you have an animal bite or a deep puncture wound.
• If a large area needs to be treated.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine .

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

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How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Multi Antibiotic Plus

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Side Effects Interactions And Warnings

Most people tolerate both Bacitracin and Neosporin well, but a small number of people will be allergic to either drug. An allergic reaction can cause a rash or itching. In rare cases, both drugs can cause a more serious allergic reaction. This can cause trouble breathing or swallowing.

Neosporin can cause redness and swelling at the wound site. If you notice this and arent sure if its an allergic reaction, stop using the product and call your doctor right away. If you think your symptoms are life-threatening, stop using the product and call 911. However, these products dont typically cause side effects.

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How Do I Store And/or Throw Out Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Warnings Of Bacitracin And Neosporin

• Bacitracin and Neosporin are for external use only.
• Ask your healthcare provider before using if you have an open wound, a deep or puncture wound, an animal bite, or a serious burn.
• If you do not see wound healing after one week, contact your healthcare provider.
• Do not use bacitracin or Neosporin if you are allergic to the ingredient.
• Do not use in the eye or on large areas of the body.
• Stop using the medication and contact your healthcare provider if your condition gets worse or you develop a rash or any kind of reaction to the medication.
• Keep out of the reach of children.

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What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad skin irritation.

When To Call A Doctor

If your wound doesnt heal after using either drug for seven days, stop using it and contact your doctor. Tell your doctor if your abrasion or burn gets worse or if it cleared up but returned within a few days. Also call your doctor if you:

• develop a rash or other allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swallowing
• have ringing in your ears or trouble hearing

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What Are The Main Differences Between Bacitracin And Neosporin

Bacitracin is an antibiotic ointment available in generic form, and it can be found over-the-counter.

Neosporin is available in a variety of formulations. The most common form of Neosporin contains three antibiotics and is sometimes called triple antibiotic ointment. It contains bacitracin, polymyxin B, and neomycin, and is available in various brand and generic ointments or creams. Neosporin is also available as Neosporin + Pain Relief Ointment, and Neosporin + Pain Itch Scar Ointment, both of which contain the three antibiotics plus pramoxine, which is a topical anesthetic medication. There is also a Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream and a Neosporin Kids Plus Pain Cream, both of which contain bacitracin and polymyxin along with pramoxine. Neosporin Lip Health contains white petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, the ingredient found in Vaseline.

Similar to bacitracin and Neosporin is a brand-name product called Polysporin. Polysporin is a double antibiotic ointment containing the active ingredients bacitracin and polymyxin B, but lacks neomycin which is in the third ingredient in Neosporin triple antibiotic cream.

Why Is Neosporin Bad For Wounds

Neosporin is not bad for wounds but may have gotten this reputation due to the ingredient neomycin, which some people are allergic to. However, anyone can potentially be allergic to any ingredient in Neosporin, including bacitracin, which is also the only ingredient in bacitracin. However, most people do tolerate either medication very well.

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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Burning.
• Stinging.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How Is This Medicine Best Taken

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes .
• Wash your hands before and after use. Do not wash your hands after use if putting this on your hand.
• Wash affected skin and pat dry.
• Put a thin layer on the affected skin and rub in gently.
• The treatment area may be covered with a dressing.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not put on 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

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Common Side Effects Of Bacitracin Vs Neosporin

Both medications tend to be very well tolerated. You may have mild skin irritation or contact dermatitis from either medication.

With either medication, seek emergency medical attention if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction, which include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A rare, but very serious side effect of neomycin, which is in Neosporin, is hearing loss. However, it is very unlikely to occur with the topical medication. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any changes in hearing.

If the affected area that you are treating becomes very red, swollen, or is oozing, contact your healthcare provider.

What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Multi Antibiotic Plus

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Burning.
• Stinging.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief

• If you have an allergy to neomycin, polymyxin, pramoxine, or any other part of Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief .
• If you are allergic to Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief any part of Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a very bad burn or cut.
• If you have an animal bite or a deep puncture wound.
• If a large area needs to be treated.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief .

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

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What Are Some Things I Need To Know Or Do While I Take Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief . This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when putting on a large part of the skin or where there are open wounds. Talk with the doctor.
• If signs get worse or last for more than 7 days, talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
• This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Talk with the doctor before giving Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief to a child younger than 2 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Antibiotic Plus Pain Relief while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

What Are Some Things I Need To Know Or Do While I Take Multi Antibiotic Plus

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine . This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when putting on a large part of the skin or where there are open wounds. Talk with the doctor.
• If signs get worse or last for more than 7 days, talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
• This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If this medicine is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Talk with the doctor before giving this medicine to a child younger than 2 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

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Is Bacitracin Or Neosporin More Effective

A meta-analysis of topical antibiotics for the prevention of wound infections concluded that topical antibiotics were effective in lowering the risk of infections in uncomplicated wounds when compared to placebo or antiseptics . However, the risk reduction was minimal compared to placebo and antiseptics. The authors of the study suggested that because of antibiotic resistance, topical antibiotics do have an important place, and antiseptics can be considered an alternative to topical antibiotics such as bacitracin or Neosporin. Studies have not directly compared bacitracin to Neosporin.

Interestingly, a 1996 JAMA study concluded that white petrolatum is a safe and effective wound care ointment. White petrolatum has an equally low infection rate and less risk for an allergic reaction when compared to bacitracin.

The best topical ointment is the one that works for you with the fewest reactions. It is also a good idea to keep a tube on hand as part of your first aid kit.

Check with your healthcare provider if you have any questions on which antibiotic ointment is better for you, especially if you have a history of allergies to topical antibiotics or if your wound is deep or oozing, meaning that it could already be infected.

Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Bacitracin Vs Neosporin

Bacitracin and Neosporin are usually not covered by insurance or Medicare Part D because they are OTC products. Occasionally, they may be covered by some plans.

You can purchase a 1-ounce tube of bacitracin for about $5. You can save money on bacitracin with a SingleCare card, but you will need your doctor to issue a prescription. Even though bacitracin is OTC, your pharmacist will have to process a prescription in order for a discount to apply.

You can purchase a 1-ounce tube of brand-name Neosporin for about $11. You can purchase generic Neosporin with a SingleCare coupon for under $9 if prescribed by your doctor.

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What They Do

The active ingredients in both products are antibiotics, so they help prevent infection from minor injuries. These include scratches, cuts, scrapes, and burns to the skin. If your wounds are deep or more severe than minor scratches, cuts, scrapes, and burns, talk to your doctor before using either product.

The antibiotic in Bacitracin stops bacterial growth, while the antibiotics in Neosporin stop bacterial growth and also kill existing bacteria. Neosporin can also fight against a wider range of bacteria than Bacitracin can.