Why it's used

Neomycin oral tablet is used to prevent or treat bacterial infections in the intestines. It's given before certain surgeries. It's also used to treat hepatic coma, which is the loss of brain function due to a liver problem. Hepatic coma happens when your liver can't remove ammonia from your blood.

How it works

Neomycin belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycosides. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

For people with an infection, neomycin works by killing bacteria and stopping it from growing in your body. This treats your infection or stops an infection from forming in the first place.

People with hepatic coma can't remove ammonia from their blood. Neomycin works by killing bacteria in their gut, which releases ammonia.

Neomycin oral tablet doesn't cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of neomycin can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they're more severe or don't go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Brain or nervous system damage. Symptoms can include:
  • numbness
  • skin tingling
  • muscle twitching
  • shaking
• Ear damage and hearing loss
• Kidney damage. Symptoms can include:
  • confusion
  • fatigue
  • thirst
  • making less urine than normal
• Muscle weakness
• Breathing trouble

Allergy warning

Neomycin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue