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Aminoglycosides Prescription only

Neomycin — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Compare real Neomycin prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.

Drug class
Aminoglycosides
Common forms
Tablet
Generic available
Yes
Legal status
Prescription only
Notable feature
Oral tablets minimally absorbed — used for bowel prep and hepatic encephalopathy only
Not effective for
Viral or fungal infections; not a general-purpose oral antibiotic

How much does Neomycin cost with health insurance?

Your out-of-pocket cost for neomycin depends on your insurance plan's coverage level, deductible status, and copay structure. To determine your actual cost, contact your insurance provider or speak with a pharmacist at your local pharmacy, who can calculate your specific copay amount. Comparing prices through discount prescription programs may sometimes result in lower costs than your insurance copay.

Is Neomycin covered by Medicare and what is the cost?

Medicare does not currently provide coverage for neomycin. However, patients can explore alternative savings options through prescription discount programs available at major pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies across the United States to help reduce their medication costs.

What brand names is Neomycin sold under?

Neomycin is available as a generic medication manufactured by companies including Akorn, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. The drug is also sold under the brand names Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab, and Mycifradin.

Neomycin prices at US pharmacies

Neomycin Sulfate — tablet, 500mg, qty 6

PharmacyRetail priceWith discount card
Kroger Pharmacy Lowest $10.63 $7.63
Harris Teeter Pharmacy $10.63 $7.63
CVS Pharmacy $14.84 $11.84
Food Lion $14.66 —
Publix $18.87 $15.87
Costco $17.14 —
Walgreens $23.48 $20.48
Walmart Neighborhood Market $41.53 $38.53

Neomycin prices at Canadian pharmacies

No Canadian pharmacy pricing was found for Neomycin in our latest data pull.

Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.

What is Neomycin used for?

Oral neomycin tablets are used for two specific, non-overlapping purposes rather than as a general antibiotic: as bowel preparation before certain intestinal surgeries, where it's given (often combined with erythromycin base) to reduce the bacterial load in the colon and lower the risk of surgical site infection, and as adjunctive therapy for hepatic encephalopathy, where it reduces ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut to help manage the confusion and cognitive changes that occur when severe liver disease lets ammonia build up in the blood. It's not prescribed for routine infections elsewhere in the body.

Like paromomycin, oral neomycin is poorly absorbed from an intact gut, which limits — but doesn't eliminate — the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity risks that define injectable aminoglycosides. Absorption rises meaningfully with inflamed or ulcerated bowel (colitis, Crohn's disease), impaired kidney function, or prolonged courses, at which point the same aminoglycoside toxicity risks (kidney injury, permanent hearing loss) become clinically relevant — this is why the drug isn't meant for extended or repeated use outside its specific indications and why patients with significant bowel disease or kidney impairment need extra caution.

Neomycin shares cross-hypersensitivity with other aminoglycosides — amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin — so a documented allergy to any of these is generally treated as a contraindication for the others. It's also contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and caution is advised in patients with Parkinson's disease or myasthenia gravis, since aminoglycosides can worsen neuromuscular weakness.

How Neomycin works

  1. Stays largely in the gut

    Taken orally, neomycin is poorly absorbed across an intact intestinal wall, so it acts mainly within the bowel rather than circulating systemically.

  2. Disrupts bacterial protein synthesis

    Like other aminoglycosides, it binds bacterial ribosomes and blocks protein production, reducing the population of gut bacteria.

  3. Reduces bowel bacteria and ammonia

    For surgical prep, this lowers infection risk from bowel bacteria; for hepatic encephalopathy, it reduces the ammonia-producing bacteria that worsen confusion in liver disease.

Available forms

tablet

Related & alternative drugs

Warnings & interactions

This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.

Common, usually mild

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramping

Serious — seek care promptly

  • Signs of kidney injury (decreased urination, unusual fatigue)
  • Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
  • Signs of a severe allergic reaction
  • Worsening muscle weakness in patients with Parkinson's disease or myasthenia gravis

Warnings

Warnings For External Use Only Do not use • In the eyes or apply over large areas of the body • If you are allergic to any of the ingredients • Longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor Ask a doctor before use if You have deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns Stop use and ask a doctor if • The condition persists or gets worse • A rash or other allergic reaction develops Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

Neomycin, by the numbers

Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.

$1.6M
Medicare Part D spend, 2024
98.7K
Medicare Part D claims, 2024
23
FDA-listed manufacturers (Orange Book)
$73.37
Federal (VA) contract price per pack (10X10)

Frequently asked questions

How much does Neomycin cost without insurance?
Retail (no-insurance) prices we found for Neomycin range up to about $41.53 depending on pharmacy, form, and quantity. With a free pharmacy discount card, the lowest price we found was $7.63. Your actual price depends on the exact strength, quantity, and pharmacy — see the tables above.
Is there a generic version of Neomycin?
Yes — our pricing data includes at least one generic listing for Neomycin. Generics contain the same active ingredient and are typically the lowest-cost option; check the price tables above for the generic rows specifically.
What drug class is Neomycin in?
Neomycin belongs to the aminoglycosides class of antibiotics.

Learn more about Neomycin

In-depth answers to common Neomycin questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.

What is the typical price of Neomycin for uninsured patients?

Without insurance, neomycin generally costs approximately $25.32 per prescription, though prices vary by pharmacy and supply quantity. Uninsured patients can potentially lower their costs by comparing prices across different pharmacies or using prescription discount programs available through various retailers and pharmacy chains.

What is Neomycin and how does it work?

Neomycin is a prescription aminoglycoside antibiotic taken to reduce infection risk during certain intestinal surgeries by halting bacterial growth in the bowel. It may also be used alongside dietary modifications to manage hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition affecting brain function. Neomycin is not effective against viral or fungal infections. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to neomycin or related aminoglycosides such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for neomycin use. Before starting treatment, inform your doctor of any existing kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal blockage, or other bowel disorders. Disclose all current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and dietary supplements. Use only as prescribed; do not exceed recommended doses or continue beyond the specified treatment duration.

What side effects can Neomycin cause?

Common side effects of neomycin include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Extended use or high doses carry a risk of irreversible kidney damage or hearing loss. Serious adverse effects requiring immediate medical attention include reduced urination, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, appetite loss, weight gain, severe abdominal cramping, and shallow breathing. This list does not include all possible side effects. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider and report unexpected reactions to the FDA if appropriate.


Sources

Page info

Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.