From the Guidelines
Maxitrol is a prescription eye medication that combines three active ingredients: neomycin and polymyxin B (both antibiotics) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid), typically prescribed to treat eye infections with inflammation, such as bacterial conjunctivitis or blepharitis. The medication usually comes as an eye drop or ointment and is generally used 3-4 times daily for drops or 1-3 times daily for ointment, though specific dosing depends on your doctor's instructions 1. The antibiotics work by killing bacteria, while the steroid reduces inflammation, redness, and discomfort. When using Maxitrol, it's essential to complete the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve quickly, to wash hands before application, and to avoid touching the tip of the container to prevent contamination. Side effects may include temporary stinging or blurring of vision. Prolonged use should be monitored by a healthcare provider as extended steroid use can increase eye pressure or potentially cause cataracts, as noted in the context of treating blepharitis and other ocular conditions 1. It's also worth noting that the use of topical antibiotics like those found in Maxitrol can be effective in decreasing bacteria from the eyelid margin in cases of anterior blepharitis, providing some symptomatic relief 1. However, the clinical efficacy of specific combinations like tobramycin/dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension has been evaluated in uncontrolled studies, showing potential in reducing signs and symptoms of blepharitis 1. Given the potential for resistance and side effects, the choice of antibiotic and corticosteroid should be guided by the severity of the condition and response to treatment, with considerations for alternative treatments like oral tetracyclines for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by eyelid cleansing or meibomian gland expression 1.
From the Research
Definition of Maxitrol
- Maxitrol is a steroid-antibiotic combination used in the treatment of chronic bacterial blepharitis and conjunctivitis 2.
- It contains neomycin sulphate, polymyxin-B sulphate, and dexamethasone 2, 3.
Composition of Maxitrol
- The composition of Maxitrol includes:
- Neomycin sulphate 3500 IU/mL
- Polymyxin-B sulphate 6000 IU/mL
- Dexamethasone 0.1% 2
Uses of Maxitrol
- Maxitrol is used to treat bacterial blepharitis and conjunctivitis 2, 3.
- It is also used to reduce ocular bacterial flora and control ocular inflammation after cataract surgery 3.
Efficacy of Maxitrol
- Maxitrol has been shown to be more effective than steroid alone in reducing bacterial counts and alleviating ocular signs and symptoms in patients with chronic blepharitis and conjunctivitis 2.
- However, other studies have found that Fluorometholone-Gentamicin eye drops may be more effective than Maxitrol in reducing ocular bacterial flora after cataract surgery 3.