Neosporin
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It has been suggested that Polysporin be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2013. |
| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Polymyxin B | Antibiotic |
| Neomycin | Antibiotic |
| Bacitracin | Antibiotic |
| Clinical data | |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Micromedex Detailed Consumer Information |
| Licence data | US FDA:link |
| Pregnancy cat. | ? |
| Legal status | OTC (US) |
| Routes | Topical |
| Identifiers | |
| ATC code | ? |
| ChemSpider | 10481985  |
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Neosporin (from Neo, (Greek) new + Sporos, (Greek) seed) is the product branding and formulas now owned by Johnson & Johnson of an over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment created under Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare, now a part of Pfizer.
Neosporin is marketed for the prevention and fighting of infections and speeding the healing of wounds. However, there is little data supporting these claims, and in clinical trials, Neosporin is not more effective than simple petroleum jelly (see Efficacy, below).
There is also significant concern that use of Neosporin contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In the US, the only large market for Neosporin, the ointment has been shown to promote the prevalence of MRSA bacteria,[1] specifically the highly lethal ST8:USA300 strain.[2]
Contents |
Components [edit]
The original ointment contains three different antibiotics: bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B, in a relatively low molecular weight patented base of cocoa butter, cottonseed oil, sodium pyruvate, tocopheryl acetate, and petroleum jelly.
The generic name for these products, regardless of the base, is "Triple Antibiotic Ointment". In China, this product is called "Complex Polymyxin B Ointment," which is manufactured by Zhejiang Reachall Pharmaceutical. The product was also marketed by The Upjohn Company under the name "Mycitracin", until 1997 when that name was acquired by Johnson & Johnson.[3]
Some people have allergic reactions to neomycin, so a "Double antibiotic ointment" is sold that contains only bacitracin and polymyxin B, such as the co-brand Polysporin.
A "Plus" variant of the ointment exists that adds the analgesic pramoxine, but uses the cheap, simple, long-lasting, but heavier petroleum jelly base that is common to many OTC topicals. The latest version of this, a high-absorption cream, removes the bacitracin which is unstable in such a base, but keeps the analgesic.
Efficacy [edit]
Numerous trials show little evidence that covering a small wound with Neosporin provides any benefit greater than that of simple petroleum jelly,[4] yet commonly causes contact dermatitis[5] while contributing to antibiotic resistance.[6][7]
The high incidence of contact dermatitis associated with Neosporin has earned it the Allergen of the Year award.
References [edit]
- ^ Martin, David (14 September 2011). "MRSA in U.S. becoming resistant to over the counter ointment". CNN. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ Suzuki, M; Yamada, K; Nagao, M; Aoki, E; Matsumoto, M; Hirayama, T; Yamamoto, H; Hiramatsu, R et al. (2011). "Antimicrobial ointments and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300". Emerging infectious diseases 17 (10): 1917–20. doi:10.3201/eid1710.101365. PMC 3310646. PMID 22000371.
- ^ "McNeil Consumer Products Co. strengthens worldwide lead in OTC pain reliever market" (Press Release). Business Wire (Fort Washington, PA: Business Wire). 1997 June 5. Retrieved June 28, 2011
- ^ Draelos, ZD; Rizer, RL; Trookman, NS (2011). "A comparison of postprocedural wound care treatments: Do antibiotic-based ointments improve outcomes?". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 64 (3 Suppl): S23–9. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.010. PMID 21247662.
- ^ Sheth, VM; Weitzul, S (2008). "Postoperative topical antimicrobial use". Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug : official journal of the American Contact Dermatitis Society, North American Contact Dermatitis Group 19 (4): 181–9. PMID 18674453.
- ^ Spann, CT; Taylor, SC; Weinberg, JM (2004). "Topical antimicrobial agents in dermatology". Disease-a-month : DM 50 (7): 407–21. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2004.05.011. PMID 15280871.
- ^ Trookman, NS; Rizer, RL; Weber, T (2011). "Treatment of minor wounds from dermatologic procedures: A comparison of three topical wound care ointments using a laser wound model". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 64 (3 Suppl): S8–15. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.011. PMID 21247665.
External links [edit]
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