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Neomycin (oral)

  • Try to take this medicine at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of neomycin in your body.
  • It is important to complete the prescribed course of neomycin, even if your condition has improved. If you stop taking this medicine too soon you may be at risk of further infection.
  • Important: Oral contraceptives may be less effective while you are taking neomycin. In addition to taking the contraceptive pill, use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while you are taking neomycin and for at least seven days after your course of neomycin has finished. If these seven days run into a 'pill-free' week, start taking the next packet of contraceptives without leaving a break. If you are taking the type of contraceptive pill that is taken every day or if you need any further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

About oral neomycin

Type of medicine Antibiotic
Used for Reducing bacteria in the bowel before surgery to prevent infections and in liver failure
Also called Nivemycin
Available as Tablets

Oral neomycin is taken up by the bacterial cell where it then causes cell death. The number of bacterial cells is therefore reduced.

Before taking oral neomycin

Before taking oral neomycin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease).
  • If you are severely constipated or feel you may have an internal blockage.
  • For practical reasons, neomycin tablets are not recommended in children under 6 years.

How to take oral neomycin

  • Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor.
  • Swallow neomycin tablets whole (not crushed or chewed), with plenty of water.
  • Try to take this medicine at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of neomycin in your body.
  • Try not to miss any doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Never take two doses at the same time to compensate.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • It is important to complete the prescribed course of neomycin, even if your condition has improved. If you stop taking this medicine too soon you may be at risk of further infection.
  • Before having any kind of surgery, including dental and emergency treatment, tell your doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking neomycin.
  • If you have to have any blood tests, tell the person carrying out the test that you are being treated with neomycin.
  • Important: Oral contraceptives may be less effective while you are taking neomycin. In addition to taking the contraceptive pill, use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) while you are taking neomycin and for at least seven days after your course of neomycin has finished. If these seven days run into a 'pill-free' week, start taking the next packet of contraceptives without leaving a break. If you are taking the type of contraceptive pill that is taken every day or if you need any further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can oral neomycin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Nausea Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Vomiting Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If diarrhoea is severe or continues speak to your doctor.

Other side-effects may include increased salivation (watery mouth), sore mouth, confusion, pins and needles or tingling sensation, disorientation, skin rash or itching, ringing in the ears and abnormal eye movements. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store oral neomycin

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
1195		 DocRef:
dils2231		 Last Updated:
4 Oct 2007		 Date of Next Review:
3 Oct 2009		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

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