Name
- Neomycin.
Class of drug
- Aminoglycoside antibiotic.
Uses
Action
- Bactericidal, more active in alkaline environment and against Gram-negative bacteria.
- Aminoglycosides operate a concentration-dependant cell killing mechanism, resulting in a marked post-antibiotic effect.
Indications
- Gram-negative infections.
- Some staphylococcal
and streptococcal (fecalis) infections.
All obligate anaerobic bacteria and many haemolytic streptococci are resistant. - As neomycin is extremely nephrotoxic and ototoxic it is :
- Primarily used topically for infections of skin, ear or mucus membranes, or orally to reduce intestinal bacterial population in treating hepatic encephalopathy and before intestinal surgery.
- Non-specific bacterial enteritides - often in combination with antimuscarinic agents.
- Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (coma) together with dietary protein reduction and lactulose : 20 mg/kg PO QID.
- To reduce bacterial flora before elective colorectal surgery (along with appropriate bowel evacuation): 500 mg-1 g (with an identical dose of erythromycin base) 19 hours, 18 hours and 9 hours before surgery.
This dosage regimen is derived from human data. Differences in gastrointestinal (GI) transit times may alter the dosing schedule in dogs.
Adverse reactions
Other reported reactions
- Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity following prolonged high-dose oral therapy.
- Toxicity in animals with severe gastrointestinal ulceration/inflammatory bowel disease and hepatic failure.
- Severe diarrhea/malabsorption syndrome and bacterial or fungal super-infections.
