From the Guidelines
Cortisporin is a combination antibiotic medication that contains three active ingredients: neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and hydrocortisone. The ingredients in Cortisporin work together to treat bacterial infections and reduce inflammation. Neomycin and polymyxin B are antibiotics that work against a variety of bacteria, while hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, swelling, itching, and other allergic-type reactions 1. Some key points to consider when using Cortisporin include:
- The typical concentration in the otic solution is neomycin 3.5 mg/ml, polymyxin B 10,000 units/ml, and hydrocortisone 10 mg/ml.
- Cortisporin is available in different formulations including otic (ear) drops, otic suspension, and topical preparations (cream or ointment).
- The ear preparations are used to treat bacterial infections of the ear canal, while the topical forms treat skin infections.
- Some formulations may also contain a fourth ingredient, an anesthetic called benzocaine, to help relieve pain.
- Cortisporin should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare provider, as improper use can lead to antibiotic resistance or side effects such as allergic reactions, especially with neomycin 1. It's also important to note that individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to neomycin, polymyxin B, or streptomycin should not use Cortisporin, as it may cause hypersensitivity reactions 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DESCRIPTION Polymyxin B for Injection is one of a group of basic polypeptide antibiotics derived from B polymyxa (B aerosporous). Each vial contains 500,000 polymyxin B units for parenteral or ophthalmic administration.
The main ingredient in Cortisporin is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels, but based on the name, it can be inferred that it is a combination of corticosteroids and an antibiotic.
- The first label describes Polymyxin B, an antibiotic.
- The second label describes Neomycin, another antibiotic. However, without direct information about Cortisporin in the labels, the exact ingredients cannot be confirmed. Since the question is about the ingredients of Cortisporin, and there is no direct information in the provided labels, the answer should be: The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Ingredients of Cortisporin
Description of Cortisporin
- Cortisporin is an otic suspension used to treat otitis externa, as mentioned in studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- It is a combination of antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B) and a steroid (hydrocortisone), as described in studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6