Discovery and Properties
- Discovered in 1949 by microbiologist Selman Waksman and student Hubert Lechevalier at Rutgers University
- Produced naturally by the bacterium Streptomyces fradiae
- Synthesis requires specific nutrient conditions in either stationary or submerged aerobic conditions
- Isolated and purified from the bacterium
- Neomycin was discovered over 50 years ago
- Neomycin is an antibiotic active against streptomycin-resistant bacteria
- It has been used in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Neomycin can induce hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals
Medical Uses
- Typically applied topically, such as in Neosporin
- Can be administered orally, often combined with other antibiotics
- Used as a preventive measure for hepatic encephalopathy and hypercholesterolemia
- Effective against streptomycin-resistant bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Used to treat small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Spectrum
- Excellent activity against gram-negative bacteria
- Partially effective against gram-positive bacteria
- Relatively toxic to humans, with allergic reactions as a common adverse reaction
- Physicians sometimes recommend antibiotic ointments without neomycin
- Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) susceptibility data for medically significant gram-negative bacteria
Side Effects
- Fifth-most-prevalent allergen in patch test results
- Known GABA antagonist, responsible for seizures and psychosis
- Ototoxic, causing tinnitus, hearing loss, and vestibular problems
- Affects the cochlea in the inner ear
- Patients with existing tinnitus or hearing loss should consult a healthcare practitioner
Molecular Biology
- Antibacterial activity through binding to the 30S subunit of the prokaryotic ribosome
- High binding affinity for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)
- Resistance conferred by kanamycin kinase genes
- Neomycin-resistant bacteria research ongoing
- Biosynthetic pathway and composition of neomycin
Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that displays bactericidal activity against gram-negative aerobic bacilli and some anaerobic bacilli where resistance has not yet arisen. It is generally not effective against gram-positive bacilli and anaerobic gram-negative bacilli. Neomycin comes in oral and topical formulations, including creams, ointments, and eyedrops. Neomycin belongs to the aminoglycoside class of antibiotics that contain two or more amino sugars connected by glycosidic bonds.
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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Neo-rx |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682274 |
Routes of administration | Topical, oral |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | None |
Protein binding | N/A |
Metabolism | N/A |
Elimination half-life | 2 to 3 hours |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.014.333 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C23H46N6O13 |
Molar mass | 614.650 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Neomycin was discovered in 1949 by microbiologist Selman Waksman and his student Hubert Lechevalier at Rutgers University. Neomycin received approval for medical use in 1952. Rutgers University was granted the patent for neomycin in 1957.