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AK-Trol

Brand Names

; AK-Trol® ; Dexacidin® ; Dexasporin® ; Maxitrol®

Therapeutic Categories

Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic

What is this medicine used for?

• Neomycin and polymixin B are antibiotics used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
• Dexamethasone is used to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, and itching.
• The eye drops are used in steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions in which hydrocortisone is indicated and where bacterial infection or a risk of bacterial infection exists.

How does it work?

• Neomycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
• Polymixin B makes some of the manufacturing cells in the bacteria leaky.
• Dexamethasone prevents/reduces irritation and swelling.

How is it best taken?

• For the eye only. Shake suspension well first.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Suspension:
  • Tilt your head back and drop medicine into your eye.
  • Avoid touching the dropper to your eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.
  • Close eye and hold pressure on corner of eye closest to nose for 1 minute.
• Ointment:
  • Place medicine inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1-2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 10 minutes. Give one and wait 10 minutes before using the next.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Bright lights may be irritating. Keep sunglasses with you.
• Blurred vision. Use caution when driving, or doing tasks that need clear vision.
• Stinging after putting drops in eye.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).