b. Bacitracin and Neomycin Sulfate Ointment. Bacitracin and neomycin
sulfate (Bacimycin) ointment contains 500-units of bacitracin and 3.5-mg of neomycin
sulfate in each gram. This ointment must not be used in the eyes, deep or puncture
wounds, or severe burns. Prolonged use may result in superinfection; if this occurs, use
of the ointment should cease and other treatment used.
c. Neomycin Sulfate and Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Ophthalmic
Ointment. This ophthalmic ointment (NeoDecadron) is included in a chemical agents
casualty treatment set. An ophthalmic solution of the same drugs is also available. It is
indicated for severe conditions such as corneal burns and ocular infections in which
vision is threatened by acute, severe uveitis and stromal edema. (More extensive
information should be consulted prior to its use.) Dexamethasone, a synthetic drug
similar to hydrocortisone, is included for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects,
but it may also reduce tissue resistance to infection. Neomycin generally helps to
control infections which may result from suppression of the inflammatory response or
which may be secondary to the original irritation.
d. Neomycin Sulfate, Hydrocortisone, and Polymyxin B Sulfate
Suspension. These eardrops (Cortisporin Otic Drops) may be used to treat otitis
external (inflammation of the external ear) caused by organisms susceptible to
neomycin or polymyxin B (also an antibiotic). Hydrocortisone is included for its anti-
inflammatory effects; however, it may also reduce tissue resistance to infection. An
ophthalmic suspension of the same drugs is also available.
e. Neomycin Sulfate, Gramicidin, and Polymyxin B Sulfate. These three
antibiotics are available both in a cream and in an ophthalmic solution.
Section II. SULFONAMIDES
6-6.
INTRODUCTION
In the 1930's, chemists in Germany developed a substance, prontosil, which was
effective against hemolytic streptococci. Later, researchers in France added hydrogen
to a portion of the prontosil molecule and thus created the basic sulfonamide, which had
a therapeutic efficacy no less than that of prontosil. These were the first chemical
agents to be successfully employed systemically for the prevention and cure of bacterial
infections. In the following years, many more alterations were made in the sulfonamide
molecules, creating a large number of antibacterial drugs. Even with the advent of
antibiotics, the sulfonamides are still drugs of choice for some types of infection. In fact,
because of their low cost and their usefulness in some common infections, they are still
among the most widely used antibacterial agents.
MD0913
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