Cortisporin Side Effects

Cortisporin is a prescription medicine formulated by the drug company Monarch Pharmaceuticals. According to the "Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties," Cortisporin was initially an ophthalmic ointment approved by the Food and Drug Administation, or FDA, in 1971 to treat eye infections. Cortisporin is now also formulated as suspension drops for the ear and solutions and cream for the skin. All Cortisporin products contain neomycin, polymyxin-B and hydrocortizone, although the eye ointment also contains bacitracin, as cited on RxList.com. Cortisporin products display antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but also cause side effects.

Cortisporin Skin Cream

According to Drugs.com, the most common side effects reported from the use of Cortisporin cream are dryness and itching of the skin where the cream was applied, which is usually related to sensitization of the neomycin component. The dryness can develop into a burning feeling, peeling, redness and discoloration of the skin. The itching can lead to acne-like rashes, inflammation and possible secondary infections that might be resistant to the antimicrobial properties of the cream.

Cortisporin Skin Solution

Cortisporin skin solution has similar side effects to the skin cream, although there is a greater risk of adverse reaction from the topical corticosteroid component because the solution is often used more frequently and over a greater area, such as for a daily face wash. Drugs.com notes the following localized side effects from frequent corticosteroid application: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acne eruptions, de-pigmentation of the skin, dermatitis, secondary infection, thinning of the skin and scarring of the skin in the form of striae.

Cortisporin Eye Drops

RxMed.com reports that the most common side effects experienced from the use of Cortisporin eye drops are burning or stinging of the eye, dryness, irritation, itching, redness and/or swelling in or around the eye. Conjunctival erythema can develop due to chronic inflammation in the eye. Drugs.com adds that fungal and viral infections of the cornea are known to develop with long-term use of corticosteroid-based eye drops, which is what the hydrocortisone component of Cortisporin is. Although not common, RxMed warns that prolonged Cortisporin eye drop use may result in increased pressure within the eye, full-blown glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve, reduced visual acuity and fields of vision and cataract formation.

Cortisporin Ear Drops

Although the most common side effects experienced with Cortisporin ear drops are burning, itching and dryness, the "PDR Health Guide" warns that the neomycin component in the drops may cause permanent hearing loss. Specifically, neomycin can damage hair cells within the cochlea of the ear, leading to deafness.