What is Ak-Poly-Bac: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Ak-Poly-Bac overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • AK-Poly-Bac, Neo-Polycin, Neosporin, Polycin, Polytrim, Triple Antibiotic, Triple Antibiotic, Polycin, AK-Poly-Bac

Generic Names:

  • Bacitracin-Polymyxin B

Uses:

  • Treats eye infections and swelling. Contains an antibiotic medicine and may sometimes contain a corticosteroid., Treats eye infections.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antibiotic, Antibiotic Combination, Antibiotic Combination

Forms:

  • Ointment, Liquid, Drop, Ointment

How it’s taken:

  • Into the eye, Into the eye

What is Ak-Poly-Bac used for?

What form(s) does Ak-Poly-Bac come in

  • Ointment

  • Liquid

  • Drop

  • Ointment

What are common Ak-Poly-Bac doses?

  • Tube 3.5GM of 500-10000UNIT/GM

Common Ak-Poly-Bac prescriptions

  • AK-Poly-Bac
    3.5gm of 500-10000unit/gm tube

How to take Ak-Poly-Bac

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Wash your hands before and after using the medicine.

  • Shake the eye drops well just before each use.

  • Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • To use the ointment:Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Wash your hands before and after using the medicine.

  • Shake the eye drops well just before each use.

  • To use the ointment:Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ak-Poly-Bac

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Ak-Poly-Bac contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to bacitracin or polymyxin B.

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics. Make sure your doctor knows about all medicines you are allergic to, especially polymyxin B, gramicidin, neomycin, bacitracin, oxytertracycline, Neosporin®, Neocidin®, or Polysporin®.

Ak-Poly-Bac warnings

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney problems.

  • If your condition does not get better, or gets worse, while you are using this medicine, call your doctor.

  • This medicine may cause slow healing of the eye.

  • You will need to have your eyes checked regularly if you use the medicine for 10 days or longer. Be sure to keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Ophthalmic routeIf you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

Ak-Poly-Bac interactions

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine or drops in your eyes.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney problems.

  • If your condition does not get better, or gets worse, while you are using this medicine, call your doctor.

Ak-Poly-Bac side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Slow healing of the eye

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Severe eye itching, swelling, or redness

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Eye irritiation when the drops are put in

  • Watery eyes

  • Redness, pain, swelling, or irritation at the application site

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