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Drugs A–Z

Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate

Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Taken
Ophthalmic
Label
Proficient Rx LP, revised January 1, 2021 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
FDA-approved (4 companies) · details

What it is used for

Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is indicated in the treatment of surface ocular bacterial infections, including acute bacterial conjunctivitis, and blepharoconjunctivitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus viridans, Haemophilus influenza and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. * *Efficacy for this organism in this organ system was studied in fewer than 10 infections.

Who should not take it (contraindications)

Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Warnings

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE. If a sensitivity reaction to Trimethoprim and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution occurs, discontinue use. Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is not indicated for the prophylaxis or treatment of ophthalmic neonatorum.

Precautions

General: As with other antimicrobial preparations, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, appropriate therapy should be initiated. Information for Patients: Avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers, or other source. This precaution is necessary if the sterility of the drops is to be maintained. If redness, irritation, swelling or pain persists or increases, discontinue use immediately and contact your physician. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Carcinogenesis: Long-term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential have not been conducted with polymyxin B sulfate or trimethoprim. Mutagenesis: Trimethoprim was demonstrated to be non-mutagenic in the Ames assay. In studies at two laboratories no chromosomal damage was detected in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells at concentrations approximately 500 times human plasma levels after oral administration; at concentrations approximately 1000 times human plasma levels after oral administration in these same cells a low level of chromosomal damage was induced at one of the laboratories. Studies to evaluate mutagenic potential have not been conducted with polymyxin B sulfate. Impairment of Fertility: Polymyxin B sulfate has been reported to impair the motility of equine sperm, but its effects on male or female fertility are unknown. No adverse effects on fertility or general reproductive performance were observed in rats given trimethoprim in oral dosages as high as 70 mg/kg/day for males and 14 mg/kg/day for females. Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with polymyxin B sulfate. It is not known whether polymyxin B sulfate can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Trimethoprim has been shown to be teratogenic in the rat when given in oral doses 40 times the human dose. In some rabbit studies, the overall increase in fetal loss (dead and resorbed and malformed conceptuses) was associated with oral doses 6 times the human therapeutic dose. While there are no large well-controlled studies on the use of trimethoprim in pregnant women, Brumfitt and Pursell, in a retrospective study, reported the outcome of 186 pregnancies during which the mother received either placebo or oral trimethoprim in combination with sulfamethoxazole. The incidence of congenital abnormalities was 4.5% (3 of 66) in those who received placebo and 3.3% (4 of 120) in those receiving trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. There were no abnormalities in the 10 children whose mothers received the drug during the first trimester. In a separate survey, Brumfitt and Pursell also found no congenital abnormalities in 35 children whose mothers had received oral trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole at the time of conception or shortly thereafter. Because trimethoprim may interfere with folic acid metabolism, trimethoprim should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nonteratogenic Effects: The oral administration of trimethoprim to rats at a dose of 70 mg/kg/day commencing with the last third of gestation and continuing through parturition and lactation caused no deleterious effects on gestation or pup growth and survival. Nursing mothers: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 months have not been established (see WARNINGS ).

Side effects (adverse reactions)

The most frequent adverse reaction to Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is local irritation consisting of increased redness, burning, stinging, and/or itching. This may occur on instillation, within 48 hours, or at any time with extended use. There are also multiple reports of hypersensitivity reactions consisting of lid edema, itching, increased redness, tearing, and/or circumocular rash. Photosensitivity has been reported in patients taking oral trimethoprim.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with polymyxin B sulfate. It is not known whether polymyxin B sulfate can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Trimethoprim has been shown to be teratogenic in the rat when given in oral doses 40 times the human dose. In some rabbit studies, the overall increase in fetal loss (dead and resorbed and malformed conceptuses) was associated with oral doses 6 times the human therapeutic dose. While there are no large well-controlled studies on the use of trimethoprim in pregnant women, Brumfitt and Pursell, in a retrospective study, reported the outcome of 186 pregnancies during which the mother received either placebo or oral trimethoprim in combination with sulfamethoxazole. The incidence of congenital abnormalities was 4.5% (3 of 66) in those who received placebo and 3.3% (4 of 120) in those receiving trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. There were no abnormalities in the 10 children whose mothers received the drug during the first trimester. In a separate survey, Brumfitt and Pursell also found no congenital abnormalities in 35 children whose mothers had received oral trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole at the time of conception or shortly thereafter. Because trimethoprim may interfere with folic acid metabolism, trimethoprim should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nonteratogenic Effects: The oral administration of trimethoprim to rats at a dose of 70 mg/kg/day commencing with the last third of gestation and continuing through parturition and lactation caused no deleterious effects on gestation or pup growth and survival.

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is administered to a nursing woman.

Use in children

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 months have not been established (see WARNINGS ).

Is there a generic Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate?

Yes. The FDA has approved generic Trimethoprim Sulfate and Polymyxin B Sulfate from 4 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 1997.

An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.

The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.

Companies with an approved generic

Bausch And Lomb Inc, Epic Pharma Llc, Sandoz, Somerset Theraps Llc

Brand-name versions

  • Polytrim Allergan, approved 1988 Discontinued

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Trimethoprim sulfate and polymyxin b sulfate in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 2c5579eb-ad81-415e-8dcb-9f1c94c897ae.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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