Definition

Noun 1. An antibiotic: A medicinal substance produced by a microorganism (specifically an actinomycete) that inhibits the growth of or destroys other microorganisms, particularly bacteria. 2. A specific antibiotic drug: A pharmaceutical compound, often used in its sulfate form, primarily applied as a topical or intestinal antiseptic to prevent or treat bacterial infections, especially in surgical contexts.

Usage

Neomycin is used as a non-count noun to refer to the antibiotic substance itself. It is most commonly encountered in medical, pharmaceutical, and clinical contexts. - It is frequently administered topically on the skin (in creams, ointments) or in the eyes/ears (in drops). - It can be used orally as an intestinal antiseptic to reduce gut bacteria before surgery. - It is often found in combination with other antibiotics (e.g., polymyxin, bacitracin) in over-the-counter first-aid ointments.

Examples

• The doctor prescribed a neomycin ointment for the infected cut.
• Before the colon surgery, the patient was given oral neomycin to sterilize the bowel.
• A common side effect of topical neomycin is allergic contact dermatitis.
• The formulation contains neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, and bacitracin zinc.

Advanced Usage

• "Neomycin sulfate": This is the standard salt form of the drug used in most pharmaceutical preparations due to its stability and solubility.
• "Neomycin-resistant": Describing bacteria that are not killed or inhibited by neomycin, often due to genetic mutation or acquisition of resistance genes.
  • The lab results showed the infection was caused by a neomycin-resistant strain.

Variants and Related Words

• Neobiotic (noun): A former common trade name for pharmaceutical preparations containing neomycin.
• Aminoglycoside (noun): The class of antibiotics to which neomycin belongs. Other aminoglycosides include gentamicin and streptomycin.

Synonyms

• Antibiotic (general term)
• Antimicrobial (general term)
• Antiseptic (in its specific surgical/intestinal use context)

Notes on Meaning

While neomycin is an antibiotic (a general term for anti-bacterial agents), it specifically denotes a particular chemical compound with a defined spectrum of activity. Its primary modern use is in topical applications; systemic use (e.g., by injection) is rare due to potential toxicity to the kidneys and ears (ototoxicity).

Noun

1. an antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used (as a sulphate under the trade name Neobiotic) as an intestinal antiseptic in surgery