Enbecin eye ointment (bacitracin + neomycin) – for bacterial infections of the eye, skin and outer ear

Enbecin eye ointment contains a combination of two bactericidal antibiotics – bacitracin (500 IU/g) and neomycin (3.3 mg/g, as neomycin sulphate). Bacitracin acts against gram-positive bacteria, and neomycin against many gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria, so the combination has a broad spectrum of activity.

The ointment reduces signs of infection on the area of skin or mucous membrane where it is applied (redness, swelling, purulent changes) and is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, skin and outer ear. It is available on prescription.

What is Enbecin ointment used for and how is it applied correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Enbecin used for?

According to the Summary of Product Characteristics, Enbecin is used for infections caused by susceptible organisms:

• bacterial infections of the external eye: blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins), dacryocystitis (inflammation of the tear sac), hordeolum (stye), acute bacterial conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis;
• prevention and treatment of bacterial skin infections: impetigo and folliculitis, erythrasma, secondary bacterial infections accompanying eczema and other dermatoses, minor ulcerations, scratches, wounds and burns;
• bacterial infections of the outer ear.

Use of the ointment does not exclude systemic antibiotics when the doctor considers them necessary.

How is it applied and dosed?

• Treatment should not last longer than 7 days without a new medical assessment; do not exceed the recommended dose.
• In impaired kidney function the dose is reduced according to the degree of impairment.
• If redness, swelling or other signs of local irritation occur, stop using the ointment immediately.

Special patient groups

• Children: the medicine is used in the same way as in adults; not recommended in children under 2 years because of greater absorption.
• Elderly: should use the medicine with particular caution, as they may have reduced kidney function and greater absorption.
• Kidney impairment: excretion of neomycin is reduced and the risk of hearing damage increased – the dose should be reduced.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Enbecin:

• if you are hypersensitive to bacitracin, neomycin or white soft paraffin;
• if you are hypersensitive to framycetin, kanamycin, gentamicin, polymyxin B or other related medicines;
• if you have nerve deafness and significant systemic absorption of neomycin is possible;
• for outer ear infections if the eardrum is perforated.

Warnings and precautions

• With significant absorption, neomycin can cause irreversible damage to the auditory nerve and worsen existing partial deafness; neomycin and bacitracin can impair kidney function.
• People allergic to other aminoglycosides are usually also allergic to neomycin.
• Hypersensitivity to neomycin is more common in patients with venous stasis (varicose veins), eczema or skin ulcers.
• The medicine may slow the healing of corneal wounds.
• Do not use for longer than 7 to 10 days due to the risk of superinfection, including fungi.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Because of local use, the possibility of systemic absorption and therefore interactions is low. Nevertheless, tell your doctor about all medicines you take. According to the leaflet:

• concomitant use of other aminoglycoside antibiotics is not recommended;
• with significant absorption, neomycin may intensify and prolong respiratory depression with neuromuscular blockers (medicines used in anaesthesia).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

There are insufficient data on topical use of neomycin in pregnancy, so the medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless the doctor considers it necessary. There are no data on excretion into breast milk – caution is needed during breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

According to the leaflet, Enbecin does not affect the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Enbecin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

• Hypersensitivity to neomycin: relatively rare in the general population, more common in patients with venous stasis, eczema or skin ulcers; shows as redness and peeling of the skin, eczema on damaged skin or failure of the skin to heal.
• Allergic reaction in the eye: itching, redness, swelling of the eyelids – stop using it immediately.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): hypersensitivity to bacitracin, including the possibility of an anaphylactic reaction.
• Very rare (up to 1 in 10,000): damage to the auditory nerve and impaired kidney function with local use.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: there are no specific symptoms; with systemic absorption signs of toxicity may occur (damage to hearing, kidneys and neuromuscular function). Stop using it and contact your doctor.
• Missed dose: continue treatment straight away as before.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor.

Related information

For additional eye care, see also the category Eye drops – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substances: 1 g ointment contains 500 IU bacitracin and 3.3 mg neomycin (as neomycin sulphate).
• Excipient: white soft paraffin.
• Pack: conical aluminium tube containing 5 g ointment, with conical applicator and tamper-evident cap.
• Marketing authorisation holder: Galenika AD Belgrade. Manufacturer: Zentiva k.s., Prague, Czech Republic.

Storage

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store below 25 °C in the original package.
• After first opening store below 25 °C in the original package for no longer than 28 days.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicines to a pharmacy that collects them.

Frequently asked questions

Can Enbecin be used for a stye?

Yes, hordeolum (stye) is listed among the indications for bacterial infections of the external eye. The ointment is applied 1–3 times daily as directed by the doctor.

Can I apply Enbecin to the skin and in the ear?

Yes. Besides the eye, the medicine is used for bacterial infections of the skin and outer ear, in a thin layer 1–3 times daily. It must not be used in the ear if the eardrum is perforated.

How long can I use Enbecin?

Treatment should not last longer than 7 days without a new medical assessment, and the medicine should not be used for longer than 7 to 10 days because of the risk of superinfection.

Is Enbecin suitable for babies?

It is not recommended in children under 2 years because of greater absorption. In older children it is used in the same way as in adults.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Enbecin® 500 IU/g + 3.3 mg/g eye ointment (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet, Enbecin® 500 IU/g + 3.3 mg/g eye ointment (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.