Comprehensive medication guide to Maxitrol including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for the generic on most Medicare Part D and commercial insurance plans; typically Tier 1–2. Brand-name Maxitrol may require prior authorization on some plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Brand-name Maxitrol retails for approximately $161.91 for a 5 mL bottle; generic neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic is as low as $7–$16 per 5 mL with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Maxitrol is a brand-name prescription ophthalmic medication that combines two antibiotics — neomycin (3.5 mg/mL) and polymyxin B (10,000 units/mL) — with the corticosteroid dexamethasone (0.1%). This triple-action formula fights bacterial eye infections while simultaneously reducing inflammation, pain, redness, and swelling. The brand is distributed by Alcon Laboratories and has been FDA-approved since October 1964. Generic versions (neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic) are widely available from multiple manufacturers.
Maxitrol is available as an ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) in 5 mL bottles and as an ophthalmic ointment in 3.5 g tubes. It is FDA-approved for steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions where bacterial infection is present or at risk — including bacterial conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, uveitis, post-surgical inflammation, and eye injuries from chemicals, radiation, or physical trauma.
Maxitrol is prescription-only and is not a controlled substance. It is not appropriate for viral, fungal, or mycobacterial eye infections — using it for these conditions can mask or worsen the infection.
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Maxitrol works through three simultaneous mechanisms. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that binds to bacterial ribosomes and prevents bacteria from synthesizing the proteins they need to grow and reproduce. Polymyxin B is a polypeptide antibiotic that disrupts the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, causing their inner contents to leak out and the cell to die. Together, these two antibiotics provide broad-spectrum coverage against many common eye pathogens.
Dexamethasone, the corticosteroid component, works by suppressing the body's inflammatory response. It inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and cytokines, reduces white blood cell infiltration into inflamed tissue, and decreases capillary permeability. The result is reduced redness, swelling, and pain — often noticeable within 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment.
The antibiotics 'cover' the steroid, allowing dexamethasone to safely reduce inflammation without allowing bacterial infection to worsen. This is why Maxitrol should only be used for bacterial conditions — using it for viral or fungal infections removes this protective mechanism and can lead to treatment failure or worsening of the infection.
3.5 mg/mL neomycin / 10,000 units/mL polymyxin B / 0.1% dexamethasone — ophthalmic suspension (eye drops)
1-2 drops in affected eye(s) 4-6 times daily; hourly in severe disease. 5 mL bottle.
3.5 mg/g neomycin / 10,000 units/g polymyxin B / 0.1% dexamethasone — ophthalmic ointment
~0.5 inch ribbon in conjunctival sac 3-4 times daily. 3.5 g tube.
As of 2026, Maxitrol is not listed on the FDA's official Drug Shortage Database. Generic neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic is produced by multiple manufacturers, providing supply redundancy. However, because ophthalmic medications are specialty products that pharmacies typically stock in smaller quantities, individual pharmacy locations — particularly independent or rural pharmacies — may temporarily run out. Seasonal demand spikes (during allergy season or post-surgical periods) can also temporarily deplete local stock.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) typically maintain more reliable ophthalmic medication inventory than smaller independents. Patients who cannot find Maxitrol at their usual pharmacy are generally able to locate it at a nearby chain pharmacy or by asking about the generic formulation. Switching from brand to generic also opens up significantly more pharmacy options.
If you're having trouble locating Maxitrol, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have your medication in stock, saving you hours of calling around.
Maxitrol is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write a prescription without DEA-specific authorization. A wide range of healthcare providers commonly prescribe Maxitrol for appropriate ophthalmic indications:
Ophthalmologists — primary specialists for serious eye infections and post-surgical care
Optometrists (ODs) — licensed to prescribe therapeutic ophthalmic medications in all 50 states
Primary care physicians — commonly prescribe Maxitrol for bacterial conjunctivitis and minor eye infections
Urgent care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — routinely prescribe for acute eye infections
Emergency medicine physicians — for acute eye injuries with infection risk
Telehealth options are available for mild bacterial eye infections. Platforms like MDLive and Teladoc allow providers to evaluate symptoms and prescribe Maxitrol or alternatives without an in-person visit. Severe symptoms, significant vision changes, or suspected corneal injury require in-person evaluation.
No. Maxitrol (neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It contains two antibiotics (neomycin and polymyxin B) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone) — none of which have abuse potential or require DEA registration to prescribe.
This means that any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority (including ophthalmologists, optometrists, primary care physicians, urgent care providers, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) can prescribe Maxitrol without special DEA registration. Prescriptions can also be called in to a pharmacy by phone or sent electronically — no special prescribing restrictions apply.
Maxitrol is generally well-tolerated with short-term use. Common, typically mild side effects include:
Temporary blurred vision upon application (especially with ointment)
Stinging or burning sensation
Mild eye or eyelid irritation, itching, or redness
Eyelid crusting (particularly with ointment)
Contact your prescriber immediately if you experience any of the following:
Increased or worsening eye pain
Vision changes, halos around lights, or tunnel vision (possible elevated IOP)
Worsening discharge, redness, or swelling after 2 days of use
Signs of allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing)
Neomycin sensitization: progressive eyelid or periocular skin redness and swelling
Long-term use risks (beyond 10 days): elevated intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, posterior subcapsular cataracts, corneal thinning, and secondary fungal or viral infections.
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TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone ophthalmic)
Most clinically similar alternative; same dexamethasone steroid with tobramycin antibiotic replacing neomycin/polymyxin B. Generic available. First choice for neomycin-allergic patients.
Blephamide (sulfacetamide/prednisolone ophthalmic)
Combination antibiotic-steroid using sulfacetamide (sulfa antibiotic) and prednisolone. Appropriate for sulfa-tolerant patients. Generic available. Avoid in sulfa allergy.
Zylet (tobramycin/loteprednol ophthalmic)
Tobramycin antibiotic paired with loteprednol steroid (lower IOP risk vs. dexamethasone). Preferred for glaucoma suspects. No generic available.
Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate 1%) + separate antibiotic
Split approach with steroid-only prednisolone plus a separately prescribed fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin). More prescriber control; generics available for both components.
Prefer Maxitrol? We can find it.
Botulinum toxins (Botox, Dysport, Myobloc)
moderateNeomycin (aminoglycoside) may potentiate neuromuscular blocking effects of botulinum toxins, potentially causing excessive weakness.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin)
minorMay increase systemic dexamethasone exposure with high-dose or prolonged ophthalmic use, increasing risk of adrenal suppression or Cushing's syndrome.
Ophthalmic NSAIDs (ketorolac)
minorCombined use with dexamethasone-containing drops may increase risk of corneal thinning or perforation in susceptible patients.
Other aminoglycoside antibiotics
minorCombined use with systemic aminoglycosides increases risk of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity if significant systemic absorption occurs.
Maxitrol (neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic) is a trusted, FDA-approved combination antibiotic-steroid eye medication with over 60 years of clinical use. It's effective for a range of bacterial eye infections accompanied by inflammation, and the availability of affordable generic versions makes it accessible to most patients. No active national shortage is declared as of 2026, though individual pharmacy locations may periodically run out.
If you have trouble finding Maxitrol, always ask about the generic first — it's therapeutically equivalent and dramatically cheaper, often under $20 with free discount coupons from GoodRx or SingleCare. For patients with neomycin allergies, TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) is the most commonly prescribed alternative.
If you're struggling to find Maxitrol at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies in your area to check stock and texting you the results — saving you time and getting you started on treatment faster.
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