neomycin

drug

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Neomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by Streptomyces fradiae. It is a type of aminoglycoside, a class of compounds used to treat bacterial diseases. Discovered in 1949, neomycin is highly toxic and primarily used to treat local infections, such as those associated with wounds and burns.12

Aminoglycosides work by binding to bacterial ribosomes, inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to bacterial cell death. While generally effective against aerobic, gram-negative bacteria, some, like streptomycin and gentamicin, show activity against gram-positive organisms when used in combination with other antibiotics. Common toxicities include kidney and hearing impairment.2

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aminoglycoside
…later isolated a second aminoglycoside, neomycin, from another species of soil bacteria, Streptomyces fradiae. In the following decades, natural aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin and tobramycin, and semisynthetic aminoglycosides, such as netilmicin and amikacin, were identified and developed.
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…later isolated a second aminoglycoside, neomycin, from another species of soil bacteria, Streptomyces fradiae. In the following decades, natural aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin and tobramycin, and semisynthetic aminoglycosides, such as netilmicin and amikacin, were identified and developed.
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ear disease
Ototoxic drugs
such as streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin, may cause permanent damage to auditory nerve function. Susceptibility to auditory nerve damage from ototoxic drugs varies greatly among individuals. In most cases, except when streptomycin is the drug taken, the more durable and less easily damaged vestibular nerve is not affected.…
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such as streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin, may cause permanent damage to auditory nerve function. Susceptibility to auditory nerve damage from ototoxic drugs varies greatly among individuals. In most cases, except when streptomycin is the drug taken, the more durable and less easily damaged vestibular nerve is not affected.…
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