
Additional manifestations of neurotoxicity may include numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching and convulsions.
The risk of hearing loss continues after drug withdrawal.
Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycoside antibiotics cross the placenta and there have been several reports of total irreversible bilateral congenital deafness in children whose mothers received streptomycin during pregnancy. Although serious side effects to fetus or newborn have not been reported in the treatment of pregnant women with other aminoglycosides, the potential for harm exists. Animal reproduction studies of neomycin have not been conducted. If neomycin is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Neomycin Sulfate Tablets USP and other antibacterial drugs, Neomycin Sulfate Tablets USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Suppression of intestinal bacteria
Neomycin sulfate tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy as part of a regimen for the suppression of the normal bacterial flora of the bowel, eg, preoperative preparation of the bowel. It is given concomitantly with erythromycin enteric-coated base (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Hepatic coma (portal-systemic encephalopathy
Neomycin sulfate has been shown to be effective adjunctive therapy in hepatic coma by reduction of the ammonia-forming bacteria in the intestinal tract. The subsequent reduction in blood ammonia has resulted in neurologic improvement.
Neomycin Sulfate Tablets, USP, for oral administration, contain neomycin which is an antibiotic obtained from the metabolic products of the actinomycete Streptomyces fradiae. Structurally, neomycin sulfate may be represented as follows:
Chemical Structure
C23H46N6O13·2 H2SO4 MW 614.67
Chemically, it is 0-2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-0-β-D-ribofuranosyl-(1→5)-0-[2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-2-deoxy-D-streptamine. Neomycin B is identical except that the a-D-glucopyranosyl residue in the neobiosamine moiety is β-L-idopyranosyl.
Inactive Ingredients: Calcium Stearate, Povidone.