Health Information
Neomycin
Drug Information
Neomycin is an antibacterial drug that is poorly absorbed when taken by mouth. It is combined with enteric coated Reference erythromycin to suppress gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria before surgery to avoid infection. Neomycin is used to treat hepatic coma in cases of liver failure and is included in some antibiotic products used to treat Reference infections of the eyes, ears, or skin.
Common brand names:
Neo-FradinSummary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
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Reference
Beta-Carotene
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.1 , 2 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Calcium
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.3 , 4 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Folic Acid
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.5 , 6 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Iron
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.7 , 8 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Magnesium
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.9 , 10 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Potassium
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.11 , 12 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Sodium
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.13 , 14 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Vitamin A
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.15 , 16 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Vitamin B12
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.17 , 18 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Vitamin B6
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.19 , 20 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
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Reference
Vitamin D
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.21 , 22 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
Reduce Side Effects
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Reference
Brewer’s Yeast
A common side effect of antibiotics is Reference diarrhea, which may be caused by the elimination of beneficial bacteria normally found in the colon. Controlled studies have shown that taking probiotic microorganisms—such as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, or Saccharomyces boulardii—helps prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea.23
The diarrhea experienced by some people who take antibiotics also might be due to an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which causes a disease known as pseudomembranous colitis. Controlled studies have shown that supplementation with harmless yeast—such as Saccharomyces boulardii 24 or Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s or brewer’s yeast)25—helps prevent recurrence of this infection. In one study, taking 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii twice daily enhanced the effectiveness of the antibiotic vancomycin in preventing recurrent clostridium infection.26 Therefore, people taking antibiotics who later develop diarrhea might benefit from supplementing with saccharomyces organisms.
Treatment with antibiotics also commonly leads to an overgrowth of yeast (Candida albicans) in the vagina (Reference candida vaginitis) and the intestines (sometimes referred to as “dysbiosis”). Controlled studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus might prevent candida vaginitis.27
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Support Medicine
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none
Reduces Effectiveness
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none
Potential Negative Interaction
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none
Explanation Required
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Reference
Vitamin K
Neomycin can decrease absorption or increase elimination of many nutrients, including Reference calcium, carbohydrates, Reference beta-carotene, fats, Reference folic acid, Reference iron, Reference magnesium, Reference potassium, sodium, and Reference vitamin A, Reference vitamin B12, Reference vitamin D, and Reference vitamin K.28 , 29 Surgery preparation with oral neomycin is unlikely to lead to deficiencies. It makes sense for people taking neomycin for more than a few days to also take a Reference multivitamin-mineral supplement.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
References
1. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
2. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
3. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
4. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
5. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
6. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
7. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
8. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
9. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
10. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
11. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
12. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
13. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
14. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
15. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
16. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
17. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
18. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
19. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
20. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
21. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
22. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
23. Elmer GW, Surawicz CM, McFarland LV. Biotherapeutic agents. A neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections. JAMA 1996;275:870–6 [review].
24. Elmer GW, Surawicz CM, McFarland LV. Biotherapeutic agents. A neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections. JAMA 1996;275:870–6 [review].
25. Schellenberg D, Bonington A, Champion CM, et al. Treatment of Clostridium difficile diarrhoea with brewer’s yeast. Lancet 1994;343:171–2.
26. Surawicz CM, Elmer GW, Speelman P, et al. Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by Saccharomyces boulardii: A prospective study. Gastroenterol 1989;96:981–8.
27. Elmer GW, Surawicz CM, McFarland LV. Biotherapeutic agents. A neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections. JAMA 1996;275:870–6 [review].
28. Roe DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies, 2d ed. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985, 157–8 [review].
29. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press,1998, 183.
Last Review: 11-07-2012
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