Maxibiotic – composition, action, dosage, side effects, substitutes

Maxibiotic is an ointment medicine used in family medicine and dermatology. The ointment contains three antibiotics with a complementary antibacterial effect against the bacteria that cause most skin infections. Maxibiotic is available without a prescription. What are the indications for the use of Maxibiotic ointment? When should you not use this ointment? Can the use of Maxibiotic ointment cause side effects in the patient? How much is a tube of this ointment?

Maxibiotic – general characteristics of the drug

Maxibiotic is an ointment that is applied topically to the skin in cases of minor wounds, scratches or bacterial infections. The active substances of the drug are three antibiotics: neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, zinc bacitracin.

Maxibiotic comes in the form of an ointment. The medicine is packaged in an aluminum tube in a cardboard box. The available pack sizes are:

1. 1 tube of 3 g;
2. 1 tube of 5 g;
3. 1 tube of 15 g 

The drug is also available in sachets. The package may contain 10 sachets of 1 g of the drug.

Bausch Health Ireland Limited is responsible for the distribution of Maxibiotic. Bausch Health is an international pharmaceutical company that sells prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. It is present in over 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

The manufacturer of the Maxibiotic ointment is EMO-FARM based in Łódź. EMO-FARM Sp. z o. o. specializes in the production of non-sterile semi-liquid forms, ie gels, ointments and creams, and is a precursor in this field on the Polish pharmaceutical market.

What ointments are most effective for burns? Read: Ointment for burns. How to choose the best preparation?

Maxibiotic – composition and action of the drug

Maxibiotic is a combined preparation. The ointment contains three antimicrobial active substances with different and complementary mechanisms of action. 1 g of ointment contains 5 mg neomycin sulfate, 5000 IU polymyxin B sulfate and 400 IU zinc bacitracin.

Bacytracyna is a polypeptide antibiotic that disrupts and inhibits the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It is mainly active against gram-positive bacteria, including staphylococci, streptococci, Clostridium species (spp.), Corynebacterium spp, and selected gram-negative bacteria: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Fusobacterium spp., Haemophilus influenzae.

Another active ingredient of the Maxibiotic ointment is neomycynawhich works by stopping the synthesis of bacterial proteins. It is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with activity against Gram-negative bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichoteus sprabi, Escherichoteus sprabi,. , Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The last of the active substances in the Maxibiotic ointment is polymyxina B which is a polypeptide antibiotic, which works by changing the tightness of the outer and cytoplasmic membranes of bacterial cells. Polymyxin B is active against Gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella, Shigella.

Thanks to the combined action of these three antibiotics, Maxibiotic ointment provides a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and reduces the risk of emergence of resistant strains.

Neomycin applied topically to intact skin is practically not absorbed into the blood, however, in the case of skin damage, long-term use or over a large area, it may have a systemic effect. In turn, polymyxin B and bacitracin are practically not absorbed from the skin surface.

The auxiliary substances of the Maxibiotic ointment are white petrolatum.

What is an antibiotic ointment and when to use it? Check: Antibiotic ointment – AD symptoms, treatment

Maxibiotic – indications for use

Maxibiotic is an ointment that is used primarily in dermatological diseases. It has a bactericidal effect, and therefore prevents the development of bacterial infections that occur after cuts or injuries.

The indications for the use of Maxibiotic ointment are:

1. minor wounds such as abrasions, scrapes, bites;
2. Burns;
3. skin ulcers.

It is worth mentioning that the use of the ointment reduces the risk of infection, accelerates healing and reduces the size of the future scar.

When is it worth using the advice of a dermatologist and what is this specialization? Read on: Dermatologist – what does he do and what tests does he order?

Maxibiotic – contraindications to use

Maxibiotic, although readily available and sold over the counter, cannot always be used by the patient. Some diseases and other circumstances may constitute a contraindication to its use or indicate a change in the dosage of the preparation.

There are situations in which it may be necessary to perform specific control tests, and even despite the indications in the use of Maxibiotic ointment, unfortunately it cannot be used.

The contraindications to the use of Maxibiotic ointment include:

1. allergy to neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, zinc bacitracin or any of the other ingredients of this drug;
2. hearing impairment – in this case, after using the drug, harmful effects on hearing may appear;
3. deep or stab wounds, severe burns or large areas of damaged skin and oozing lesions due to the risk of the active substances being absorbed into the blood and causing systemic side effects;
4. skin changes on the mucous membranes or around the eyes;
5. patient’s age – children under 12 years of age should not use the ointment, because there is a risk of toxic effects on the kidneys and the hearing organ.

What skin diseases are diagnosed most often? Check: Common skin diseases

Maxibiotic – precautions

Before and during the use of Maxibiotic ointment, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. long-term use of Maxibiotic may cause an excessive multiplication of non-susceptible microorganisms, including fungi, similar to the use of other drugs containing antibiotics;
2. patients allergic to aminoglycoside or polymyxin antibiotics may be allergic to this drug. In the event of a severe allergic reaction, discontinue treatment and contact your doctor;
3. if side effects occur, especially irritation at the application site, or the patient finds no improvement, stop using Maxibiotic and contact a doctor;
4. applying the drug to large areas of damaged skin can cause hearing loss, kidney damage and toxic effects on the nervous system.

What should you know about proper drug storage? Check: Medications that are stored wrongly are poisonous

Maxibiotic – dosage and method of use

Maxibiotic is a medicine in the form of an ointment, intended for topical application on the skin. This preparation should be used according to the information provided in the leaflet in the package or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

After removing the tube from the box and unscrewing the cap, the inverted cap should pierce the aluminum protection of the tube outlet and squeeze out the required amount of ointment.

To properly apply Maxibiotic ointment, clean the wound and cover the affected area of ​​the skin with a small amount of the drug. After applying the ointment, this area can be covered with a gauze dressing or left uncovered.

Maxibiotic ointment should be used for the best effectiveness 2 to 5 times a day. The ointment should not be used for more than 7 days. After stopping treatment, the ointment should not be reapplied for 3 months.

How to make a dressing with an elastic bandage? Check: Elastic bandage – methods and types of dressings

Maxibiotic – misuse

The use of more than the recommended dose of the drug or the omission of the indicated dose during the day is considered inappropriate use of Maxibiotic.

The use of too high a dose of the drug applies to special cases, including the use of the drug on mucous membranes or on a large surface of the skin. In such cases, systemic side effects may occur. This mainly applies to patients with impaired renal function. Symptoms of kidney damage, hearing damage and toxic effects of the drug on the nervous system may occur.

It is worth remembering not to use a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Maxibiotic – side effects

The use of Maxibiotic ointment may cause side effects in the patient, although they do not always have to occur in people who use this preparation. Usually, the benefits of using the drug are greater than the damage that may result from the appearance of side effects.

At the site of application of Maxibiotic ointment, skin irritation, itching, redness, rash, swelling, allergic changes or eczema may occur.

If the preparation is used for a long time or on large areas of the skin (especially damaged skin), side effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity may occur. Superinfections with resistant strains of bacteria or fungi are also possible.

What side effects can popular drugs cause? Check: Adverse drug reactions

Maxibiotic – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Maxibiotic, provide the treating physician or pharmacist with information about all the medications that he or she has been taking or has recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

In particular, caution should be exercised when using Maxibiotic ointments at the same time, such drugs as:

1. furosemide;
2. ethacrynic acid;
3. bacytracyna;
4. cisplatyna;
5. amphotericin;
6. polymyxin B;
7. colistin;
8. vancomycin;
9. cephalotin;
10. cyclosporine;
11. aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin, paromomycin).

It is worth remembering that the simultaneous use of Maxibiotic ointment with diuretics may increase the concentration of aminoglycosides in the blood. This, in turn, increases the risk of hearing disorders, including deafness, which can occur even after discontinuation of the drug.

In addition, summation of adverse effects may occur during concomitant use of oral or topical aminoglycoside antibiotics or other drugs with a possible harmful effect on the kidneys or nervous system.

When used simultaneously with other drugs harmful to the kidneys and hearing, Maxibiotic may increase the effects of these drugs.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Maxibiotic and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications, ointments or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Maxibiotic.

Due to the lack of adequate research, Maxibiotic ointment should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Maxibiotic — cena

The price of the Maxibiotic ointment may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the size of the package:

1. ointment in a 5 g tube costs about PLN 15;
2. ointment in sachets (10 sachets of 1 g) costs PLN 21.

What is liquid paraffin and what is its use in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries? Check: Liquid paraffin – formation, uses, contraindications. Paraffin in cosmetics

Maxibiotic – replacements

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Maxibiotic ointment, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The substitutes for Maxibiotic ointment include, among others: Tribiotic, Multibiotic, Polibiotic, containing zinc becitracin, sulphate neomycin and polymyxin B sulphate. These preparations are in the form of ointments for application to the skin.

The decision to replace Maxibiotic ointment with a substitute should be made by the doctor or pharmacist after prior consultation with the patient.

The first substitute for Maxibiotic ointment – Tribiotic is an ointment applied topically to the skin in case of infections, ulcers or burns. In 1 g of ointment, it contains three active substances with antibacterial activity, with different and complementary mechanisms of action. The active substances in 1 g of Tribiotic are: zinc bacitracin (Bacitracinum zincum) 400 IU / g, sulphate neomycin (Neomycini sulfas) 5 mg and polymyxin B sulfate (Polymyxini B sulfas) 5000 IU / g.

Another replacement for this ointment is Multibiotic, used to prevent secondary infections that may arise as a result of minor cuts, scratches, abrasions and burns. In 1 g Multibiotic contains 5 mg of neomycin sulphate, 10 mg of zinc bacitracin, 0,833 mg of polymyxin B sulphate. The other ingredients are propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E 216), methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E 218) and white petrolatum.

The last of the most frequently used substitutes for Maxibiotic is Polibiotic, indicated for minor wounds, scratches, bites, burns and ulcers. 1 g of Polibiotic contains 5 mg of neomycin sulphate, 5000 IU of polymyxin B sulphate and 400 IU of zinc bacitracin and white petrolatum which is an auxiliary substance.

When is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can