Conjunctivitis after Polymyxin B in cats

The FDA has received 20 reports of conjunctivitis in cats after Polymyxin B. That is 10% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

20Reports

15%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

–Typical onset

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

9 45%

Not known

11 55%

Problems reported at the same time

Swelling

6 30%

Skin redness

5 25%

Itching

3 15%

Corneal ulcer

3 15%

Swollen eye

3 15%

Blepharospasm

2 10%

Allergic reaction

2 10%

Eye pain

2 10%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Polymyxin B cause conjunctivitis in cats?: 20 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Polymyxin B in cats · Medicines most reported with conjunctivitis