Triple Antibiotic Ointment: What's In It, What It Does & Is It the Same as Neosporin?
It's the most common tube in any first-aid kit, and the label only says "first aid antibiotic." Here's what the three antibiotics actually do, why store brands and Neosporin aren't always identical, what a 922-patient trial found, and what the label allows on tattoos, kids and expired tubes.
- Updated Sep 24, 2026
- Prices checked Aug 17, 2026
- 12 cited sources
- No paid placements
On this page 11 sections
Quick answer
Triple antibiotic ointment is three antibiotics in a petroleum-jelly base: bacitracin, neomycin and polymyxin B. Each covers bacteria the others miss. It's sold over the counter as first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
It's the same formula as Neosporin Original when the label reads 400 units / 3.5 mg / 5,000 units per gram. The FDA allows six strength combinations, though, so "triple antibiotic" alone doesn't guarantee a match. A 1 oz store-brand tube costs about $0.41 per gram, versus $0.79 for Neosporin.
It prevents, it doesn't treat. In a 922-patient trial of bacitracin ointment versus plain petroleum jelly, infection rates were statistically the same, but only the antibiotic group had allergic reactions. Don't use it for more than a week, in the eyes, or on deep wounds, bites or serious burns without a doctor.
What is triple antibiotic ointment?
Three over-the-counter antibiotics in one petroleum-jelly base, sold as first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
The name describes the formula, not a brand. Neosporin Original is the best-known triple antibiotic ointment, and every major pharmacy chain sells its own version for less. All of them fall under the same FDA rule for first-aid antibiotics (21 CFR 333), so they share the same approved uses, directions and warnings.
What each of the three antibiotics does
The point of combining three is coverage: each antibiotic acts on a group of bacteria the others handle poorly.
| Antibiotic | How it works | Gram-positive e.g. staph, strep | Gram-negative e.g. E. coli | Pseudomonas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacitracinpolypeptide | Blocks bacteria from building their cell wall | Yes | No | No |
| Neomycinaminoglycoside | Binds bacterial ribosomes and stops protein production | Some | Most | No |
| Polymyxin Bpolymyxin | Breaks open the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria | No | Yes | Yes |
| All three together | Overlapping coverage of common skin-surface bacteria | Yes | Yes | Yes |
General laboratory activity from NIH StatPearls (bacitracin), NIH LiverTox (neomycin) and DrugBank (polymyxin B). This explains the formula. It isn't a guide to treating an infection, which needs a clinician.
Not every "triple" is identical: the FDA allows 6 strengths
The FDA monograph permits six different strength combinations of the same three antibiotics. Two tubes both labeled "triple antibiotic" can differ, so compare the numbers.
Swipe the table sideways →
| Bacitracin form | Bacitracin | Neomycin | Polymyxin B | Where you'll see it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacitracin zinc | 400 u | 3.5 mg | 5,000 u | Neosporin Original and most store-brand "triple antibiotic" ointments |
| Bacitracin zinc | 500 u | 3.5 mg | 10,000 u | "Maximum strength" pain-relief versions, e.g. Neosporin + Pain Relief ointment, Neosporin + Lidocaine, CVS Triple Antibiotic & Burn Relief |
| Bacitracin zinc | 500 u | 3.5 mg | 5,000 u | Allowed. Less common |
| Bacitracin zinc | 400 u | 3 mg | 8,000 u | Allowed. Less common |
| Bacitracin | 500 u | 3.5 mg | 5,000 u | Allowed. Less common |
| Bacitracin | 400 u | 3.5 mg | 5,000 u | Allowed. Less common |
Per gram of ointment, from 21 CFR 333.120(a)(2) and (a)(5). Product examples from Drug Facts labels (DailyMed, retailer ingredient pages). "u" = units.
How to check a tube in 5 seconds
Flip to the Drug Facts box and read the "Active ingredients (in each gram)" line. If it says bacitracin 400 units, neomycin 3.5 mg and polymyxin B 5,000 units, it's the same formula as Neosporin Original, whatever the brand on the front.
Is triple antibiotic ointment the same as Neosporin?
Usually yes, for Neosporin Original. The actives match. What differs is the price, the tube size and, for some products, the added pain reliever.
Neosporin Original
Brand name · 0.5 oz / 14.2 g
- Bacitracin zinc 400 u · neomycin 3.5 mg · polymyxin B 5,000 u
- $11.27–$17.04 per tube
- $0.79 per gram at the lowest price
Store-brand triple antibiotic
Chain brand · 1 oz / 28.4 g
- Bacitracin zinc 400 u · neomycin 3.5 mg · polymyxin B 5,000 u
- $11.65–$16.73 per tube
- $0.41 per gram at the lowest price
RxHelp US pharmacy price panel (Kroger, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Costco, Publix), discount-card prices, Aug 17, 2026. Also in the panel: 144 single-use foil packets for $22.25–$25.66 (about $0.15–$0.18 each), handy for first-aid kits. For all 9 ointments side by side, see best antibiotic ointment.
What triple antibiotic ointment is for, and what it's not for
The label allows one job: helping prevent infection in minor skin injuries. Everything else is off-label or a job for a clinician.
On the label
- Minor cuts
- Minor scrapes
- Minor burns
- Temporary pain relief, for versions with pramoxine or lidocaine
Not on the label
- Treating an infection that has already started (pus, spreading redness)
- Deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, serious burns
- Eyes, or large areas of the body
- Acne, cold sores, fungal or yeast rashes (antibiotics don't act on fungi or viruses)
Does triple antibiotic ointment actually work?
It helps prevent infection, but for clean minor wounds the edge over plain petroleum jelly is small, and the antibiotic adds an allergy risk.
Smack DP et al., JAMA 1996: randomized, double-blind trial, 922 patients with 1,249 wounds after dermatologic surgery. It tested single-ingredient bacitracin, not the triple formula, and surgical wounds rather than everyday scrapes.
That trial is one reason the American Academy of Dermatology recommends plain petroleum jelly for clean minor cuts. Triple antibiotic ointment isn't unsafe for most people, and the FDA label supports its use. It just isn't the only way to keep a small wound moist and protected. If you've ever had an itchy rash from it, neomycin or bacitracin allergy is a likely reason. Neomycin was the American Contact Dermatitis Society's Allergen of the Year in 2010, and bacitracin in 2003.
The Drug Facts label, decoded
Every triple antibiotic tube carries the same core FDA-required wording (pain-relief versions add a few lines). Here's what each line means in practice.
| The label says | In plain English |
|---|---|
| "First aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns" | It's for prevention on small, surface-level injuries, not for treating an infection. |
| "Clean the affected area" | Rinse and gently wash the wound before anything else. It's the label's first step. |
| "Apply a small amount (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger)" | A thin layer, about a fingertip's worth, is what the label calls for. |
| "1 to 3 times daily" · "May be covered with a sterile bandage" | Reapply when you change the dressing. Covering is optional but keeps it clean. |
| "Do not use in the eyes or apply over large areas of the body" | Skin only. Eye infections need prescription eye products. |
| "Deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns, consult a doctor" | These carry higher infection risk and may need cleaning, stitches, a tetanus shot or prescription antibiotics. |
| "Stop use… if a rash or other allergic reaction develops" | An itchy, red rash around the wound after a few days can be an allergy to neomycin or bacitracin. |
| "Do not use longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor" | A minor wound that isn't healing within a week needs a professional look. |
Label wording from 21 CFR 333.150 (quoted, shortened where marked "…").
Tattoos, piercings, kids and pets
These come up constantly in searches. None of them is a labeled use except kids, and even then the label depends on the version.
| Situation | On the label? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| New tattoo | No | Follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions. If the skin turns itchy and red, stop, since neomycin and bacitracin are common allergens. |
| Ear or body piercing | No | Follow your piercer's aftercare. Pus, spreading redness, warmth or fever around a piercing means seeing a clinician. |
| Children | Depends | Versions with pramoxine or lidocaine: "children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor." Check the Directions on your tube. |
| Dogs and cats | No | Human OTC labels cover people. Ask a vet. See antibiotic ointment on dogs. |
Does triple antibiotic ointment expire?
Yes. The expiration date is printed on the tube and box, and the FDA has required expiration dates on OTC medicines since 1979.
Replace expired tubes
The FDA advises against using expired medicines. They can lose strength, and a weaker antibiotic may not work as intended. First-aid kits in cars and cabinets are the usual culprit, so check the date once a year. Store it at room temperature. The CVS label, for example, says 20–25°C (68–77°F).
En español: ¿para qué sirve la pomada triple antibiótica?
Para qué sirve
Uso aprobado en la etiqueta
- Primeros auxilios para ayudar a prevenir infecciones en cortes, raspaduras y quemaduras menores
- Contiene tres antibióticos: bacitracina, neomicina y polimixina B
- Aplicar una capa fina 1 a 3 veces al día, con la herida limpia
Cuándo no usarla
Consulte a un médico
- Heridas profundas o punzantes, mordeduras de animales, quemaduras graves
- En los ojos o sobre áreas grandes del cuerpo
- Por más de 1 semana, o si aparece sarpullido o picazón
Frequently asked questions
What is triple antibiotic ointment used for?
Its FDA-labeled use is "first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns." It isn't labeled to treat an infection that has already started, or for acne, fungal rashes, cold sores or eye problems.
What is in triple antibiotic ointment?
Three antibiotics in a white petrolatum (petroleum jelly) base: bacitracin (or bacitracin zinc), neomycin and polymyxin B. The most common strength per gram is bacitracin 400 units, neomycin 3.5 mg and polymyxin B 5,000 units. "Maximum strength" versions often use 500 units / 3.5 mg / 10,000 units and add a pain reliever such as pramoxine.
Is triple antibiotic ointment the same as Neosporin?
It's the same kind of product, and often the identical formula. Neosporin Original contains bacitracin zinc 400 units, neomycin 3.5 mg and polymyxin B 5,000 units per gram, and most store-brand triple ointments match it. Because the FDA allows several strengths, check the Drug Facts box. In our data the store brand cost about half as much per gram. More in our best antibiotic ointment comparison.
Does triple antibiotic ointment work?
It does what its label claims, helping prevent infection, but the benefit over plain petroleum jelly for clean minor wounds is small. In a randomized trial of 922 surgery patients (JAMA, 1996), infection rates were 0.9% with bacitracin ointment and 2.0% with white petrolatum, a difference that wasn't statistically significant. Four patients in the antibiotic group developed allergic contact dermatitis, versus none on petrolatum.
Does triple antibiotic ointment expire?
Yes. Every tube has an expiration date, which the FDA has required on over-the-counter medicines since 1979. The FDA advises against using expired medicines because they can lose strength. A weaker antibiotic may not work as intended. Replace an expired tube, especially in a first-aid kit you rarely check.
Can you put triple antibiotic ointment on a tattoo?
Tattoos aren't on the label, which covers minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions. Keep in mind that neomycin and bacitracin are common skin allergens, so an itchy rash on a new tattoo is a reason to stop and check with a doctor.
Can I use triple antibiotic ointment on my child?
Plain triple antibiotic ointment follows the standard first-aid label. Versions with a pain reliever (pramoxine or lidocaine) say to ask a doctor before use in children under 2 years. Read the Directions section of the specific tube.
Is triple antibiotic ointment safe for dogs?
Human first-aid ointments are labeled for people. For pets, see our guide on putting antibiotic ointment on a dog and ask your veterinarian.
Can you use triple antibiotic ointment on a yeast infection or fungal rash?
No. Its three ingredients are antibacterial. They don't act on fungi such as yeast or athlete's foot, and fungal rashes aren't on the label.
What does triple antibiotic ointment do to a wound?
Two things. The petrolatum base keeps the wound moist, which helps it heal. The three antibiotics reduce bacteria on the surface. It doesn't close a wound, stop bleeding or treat infection deeper in the skin.
Related guides
Sources
- 21 CFR 333.120 — Permitted combinations and strengths of first aid antibiotic ingredients
- 21 CFR 333.150 — Labeling of first aid antibiotic products
- DailyMed — Neosporin products (Original, + Pain Relief, Simply Neosporin)
- DailyMed — CVS Triple Antibiotic & Burn Relief Drug Facts
- NIH StatPearls — Bacitracin topical
- NIH LiverTox — Neomycin
- DrugBank — Polymyxin B
- Smack DP et al. White petrolatum vs bacitracin ointment: randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1996;276(12):972–977
- American Academy of Dermatology — How to treat minor cuts
- DermNet — Neomycin contact allergy
- DermNet — Bacitracin allergy
- FDA — Don't be tempted to use expired medicines
How we researched this
Formulas and label wording come from the FDA first-aid antibiotic monograph (21 CFR 333) and Drug Facts labels on DailyMed and retailer ingredient pages. How each antibiotic works comes from NIH (StatPearls, LiverTox) and DrugBank references. Prices are discount-card prices from our US pharmacy price panel (Kroger, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Costco, Publix), checked Aug 17, 2026. We don't take payment from any brand listed. Methodology · Editorial policy
Last updated September 24, 2026. General education, not medical advice — a licensed clinician or pharmacist decides whether you need an antibiotic and which one.