Framycetin, Gramicidin, and Dexamethasone

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: Canada

Sofracort

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat some eye or ear problems when an infection is present.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

  • If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
  • If you have an infection with oozing or pus.

For use in the eye:

  • If you have any of these health problems: A bacterial, fungal, viral, TB (tuberculosis), or any other kind of eye infection; glaucoma; ulcers in your eye; or red eyes or other eye problems where the cause is not known.

For use in the ear:

  • If you have any of these health problems: Chickenpox, herpes infection, or other viral infection of the ear.
  • If you have a fungal infection of the ear.
  • If you have a hole in the eardrum.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Do not use this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
  • This drug may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
  • Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
  • If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
  • If you have pheochromocytoma, talk with your doctor.
  • Drugs like this one may cause loss of hearing when put on open wounds or damaged skin. If this happens, this may not go back to normal. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

For use in the eye:

  • This drug may cause blurred eyesight after it is put in your eye. Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for clear eyesight until this goes away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

For all uses of this drug:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of Cushing’s disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
  • Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
  • Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
  • Change in eyesight.
  • Dizziness.
  • Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or any other changes in hearing.
  • Change in balance.

For use in the eye:

  • Eye pain.
  • Severe eye irritation.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • Burning or stinging.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

For all uses of this drug:

  • Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.

For use in the eye:

  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin. This could lead to bacteria in the drug, which may cause severe eye problems or loss of eyesight.
  • Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
  • After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.

For use in the ear:

  • Do not touch the container tip to the skin.
  • Lie on your side with problem ear up.
  • For children 3 years of age and older and adults, pull the outer ear outward and upward.
  • For children younger than 3 years of age, pull the outer ear outward and downward.
  • Put drops in ear without touching dropper to ear. Stay on side for 2 minutes or put cotton plug in ear.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
  • If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
  • If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

  • Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
  • After opening, throw away any part not used after 28 days.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-11-20

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022