Cortisporin is a generic prescription drug formulated as an ophthalmic ointment for the eye, otic suspension for the ear and cream for the skin. All formulations contain antibiotics and corticosteroid. RxList.com notes that Cortisporin has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Cortisporin also contains many different inactive ingredients, depending on the medium.
Neomycin Sulfate
Neomycin sulfate is the salt-form of neomycin B and C, which are derived from the growth of the bacteria family, Streptomyces fradiae, as noted on DailyMed. Neomycin is an antibiotic which has the ability to kill bacteria in the eye, ear and skin. There is 3.5 mg of neomycin per gram of ointment and cream, and per milliliter of suspension.
Polymyxin-B Sulfate
Polymyxin-B sulfate is the salt-form of polymyxin B-1 and B-2, which are derived from the growth of the bacteria family, Bacillus polymyxa, as noted on DailyMed. Like neomycin, polymyxin-B is also an antibiotic. Used in conjunction with neomycin, there is less chance of the bacterial infection becoming drug resistant. There is the equivalent of 10,000 polymyxin-B units per gram of ointment and cream, and per milliliter of suspension.
Bacitracin Zinc
Bacitracin zinc is the salt-form of bacitracin, which is a mixture of polypeptides derived from the growth of the bacteria family, Bacillus subtilis, as noted on DailyMed. Bacitracin is another antibiotic which is much more effective topically and combined with others, than it is by itself taken orally. There is the equivalent of 400 bacitracin units per gram of ointment. It is not found in the cream or suspension.
Hydrocortizone
Hydrocortisone is a hormone classified as an anti-inflammatory. It has the ability to reduce inflammation and pain in the eye, ear and skin when delivered in Cortisporin. All corticosteroids reduce the body's natural defense against infection, but the various antibiotics in Cortisporin offset this issue, as noted in "Mosby's Drug Consult." There is 10 mg of hydrocortisone per gram of ointment, 5 mg per gram of cream and 10 mg per milliliter of suspension.
Inactive Ingredients
In Cortisporin ointment, the only inactive ingredient is white petrolatum, as cited on Drugs.com. In the cream, the inactive ingredients are: liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax, purified water, 0.25 percent methylparaben added as a preservative and sodium hydroxide added to adjust pH. In the suspension, the inactive ingredients are thimerosal as a preservative, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, mineral oil, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, sulfuric acid added to adjust pH and water for injection.
References
- "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine"; G. Nahler et al; 2009
- Drugs.com: Cortisporin Ointment
- RxList.com: Cortisporin Cream
- DailyMed: Ophthalmic / Otic Suspension
- "Mosby's Drug Consult"; C.V. Mosby; 2004
