Tribiotic – composition, action, indications, contraindications, dosage

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Tribiotic is a medicinal product containing three antibiotics with antibacterial activity. The active substances are: zinc bacitracin, sulphate neomycin and polymyxin B sulphate. Tribiotic is an ointment used on skin lesions caused by scratches, wounds or burns. What is Tribiotic characterized by? What medicinal substances does it consist of? What are the indications and contraindications for use? What drugs should not be combined with Tribiotic and what ointment substitutes are available on the Polish market?

Tribiotic — product description

Tribiotic is a medicine in the form of an ointment for topical application to the skin. This product is available without a prescription at a pharmacy in two packaging sizes: a 14 g tube for about PLN 16 and 10 sachets of 1 g for about PLN 15.

Tribiotic, thanks to the active substances bacitracin, neomycin and polymyxin B, prevents the development of bacterial infections occurring in cases of minor wounds, scratches and burns.

This product is recommended for use in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age.

Tribiotic should be stored in a tightly closed package, protected against moisture, at a temperature below 25 ° C and out of the reach and sight of children.

The responsible entity and holder of the marketing authorization for the medicinal product is Kato Labs Sp. z o. o. which is a Polish pharmaceutical company operating since 1994. The main drugs of the company, whose sales are systematically growing, are Tribiotic and Grypolek. The idea behind Kato Labs is to provide patients with unique preparations to make their lives more comfortable despite various ailments and diseases.

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

Tribiotic – composition and action

Tribiotic is a preparation with a synergistic effect that prevents the development of bacterial resistance.

The ointment contains three antimicrobial active substances 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.

Bacitracin 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 substance of Tribiotic is neomycin, which 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 of Tribiotic is Polymyxin 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, in particular against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella, Shigella.

Thanks to the action of these three antibiotics, Tribiotic provides a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and reduces the risk of the emergence of resistant strains. In addition to active substances, Tribiotic contains an auxiliary substance, which is white petroleum jelly, which has a soothing effect and facilitates wound healing.

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

Tribiotic – indications for use

Tribiotic is an ointment used in family medicine, dermatology and venereology. Thanks to its bactericidal properties, it prevents the development of bacterial infections that may arise as a result of injuries and cuts. The indications for the use of Tribiotic include:

  1. bacterial infection as a result of trauma and cuts;
  2. ulcers;
  3. Burns;
  4. to prevent bacterial superinfections that can occur after a minor cut or scratching of the skin;
  5. purulent skin diseases, caused by staphylococci;
  6. purulent complications of allergic skin diseases;
  7. skin infection with streptococci;
  8. combating changes caused by mixed bacterial flora within the skin;
  9. bacterial infections caused by strains sensitive to zinc bacitracin, sulphate neomycin or polymyxin B sulphate.

When should you seek the advice of a dermatologist and what is this specialization? Read on: Dermatologist – what does he do and what tests does he order?

Tribiotic – contraindications to use

Tribiotic, although generally available and sold without a prescription, 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 carry out specific control tests, and even, despite the existence of indications in the use of Tribiotic, unfortunately it cannot be used. Among the contraindications to the use of this preparation, the following are distinguished:

  1. allergy to any component of the preparation, i.e. zinc bacitracin, sulphate neomycin, polymyxin B sulphate or excipients;
  2. large areas of damaged skin;
  3. oozing changes;
  4. deep stab wounds;
  5. severe burns;
  6. skin changes on the mucous membranes or around the eyes;
  7. 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

Tribiotic – dosage and method of application

Tribiotic 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.

Before applying Tribiotic, clean and dry the affected skin surface, and then apply a thin layer of the ointment only to the damaged skin. The dose depends on the size and location of the lesions.

The drug should be applied to the skin 1-3 times a day for a period not longer than 7 days. If necessary, a sterile dressing may be applied to the site of ointment application to protect the wound and prevent staining of clothes.

After each use of the preparation, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you have any doubts about the use of the preparation, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Tribiotic – side effects

The use of Tribiotic may cause side effects, 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.

Among side effects that may occur in connection with the use of Tribiotic, the following are listed:

  1. ototoxicity – permanent or temporary damage to the ear or labyrinth, especially in children up to 12 years of age;
  2. nephrotoxicity – that is, a toxic effect on the kidneys, especially in people with impaired renal function;
  3. neurotoxicity, that is, damage to the nervous system;
  4. infection and parasitic infestation with resistant bacterial strains or Candida yeasts;
  5. disorders of the immune system – i.e. general symptoms of hypersensitivity and local changes such as redness, rash, itching, symptoms of irritation.

If any of the symptoms listed above appear or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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

Tribiotic – interaction with other medicinal products

Tribiotic is applied topically and in some situations the absorption of active substances may be increased and lead to interactions with other medicinal products.

Simultaneous use of Tribiotic with other drugs may damage the kidneys, hearing and the nervous system.

Tribiotic may interact with oral neomycin, increasing the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, diuretics or other drugs that can damage the kidneys and hearing, and with aminoglycoside antibiotics.

In particular, caution should be exercised when using drugs such 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).

Due to the fact that Tribiotic may interact with other drugs, and thus intensify the effect of other preparations, tell the doctor or pharmacist about all substances currently or recently taken by the patient and about the drugs that the patient plans to take. Including those issued without a prescription.

Which drugs should not be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Tribiotic – warnings and precautions

Tribiotic, despite being an over-the-counter drug, requires some precautions. When using Tribiotic, special care should be taken:

  1. if you are allergic to any aminoglycoside or polymyxin antibiotic, as you may also be allergic to other antibiotics from these groups;
  2. in people with hearing impairment and abnormal kidney function, as there is a risk of toxic effects of the drug on the kidneys or hearing;
  3. when using the drug on large areas. because it can damage hearing, kidneys and neurotoxic symptoms
  4. do not use the drug on mucous membranes, deep stab wounds, severe burns, oozing skin lesions;
  5. in the event of no improvement or worsening of symptoms or hypersensitivity, the use of the ointment should be discontinued;
  6. the drug should be kept out of the reach and sight of children;
  7. in the use of Tribiotic during pregnancy or by breastfeeding women, as the active substances of the preparation, especially neomycin, may have a harmful pharmacological effect on the course of pregnancy or the development of the fetus;
  8. the use of Tribiotic is not recommended in children under 12 years of age.

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

Tribiotic ointment substitutes

Among the substitutes for Tribiotic, the following are distinguished: Maxibiotic, 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 Tribiotic with a substitute should be made by the doctor or pharmacist after prior consultation with the patient.

One of the substitutes for Tribiotic – Maxibiotic is an ointment applied topically to the skin in minor wounds, burns and skin ulcers. 1 g of Maxibiotic 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.

Another replacement 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 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.

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

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