Neomycin is generally an aminoglycoside antibiotic and should be used under a doctor's supervision to avoid adverse reactions.
Aminoglycosides typically include common drugs such as neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin. Aminoglycosides are typically used for infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Neomycin has some therapeutic activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Neomycin and kanamycin often exhibit cross-resistance, and to a lesser extent, streptomycin. Similar to other antibiotics in the same class, neomycin can be nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Damage caused is often irreversible and can be treated symptomatically.
