What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Neomycin and vancomycin
Neomycin's FDA label of February 12, 2026 names vancomycin in its boxed warning (prescription label) section; the vancomycin labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name neomycin. The neomycin label: “… potentially nephrotoxic and/or neurotoxic drugs such as bacitracin, cisplatin, vancomycin, amphotericin B, polymyxin B, colistin and viomycin, should be avoided because the toxicity may be additive.”
Check it at the source: the neomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026); the vancomycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 7, 2024, Mylan Institutional LLC).
What does the neomycin label say about vancomycin?
Neomycin label, boxed warning (prescription label)Concurrent and/or sequential systemic, oral or topical use of other aminoglycosides, including paromomycin and other potentially nephrotoxic and/or neurotoxic drugs such as bacitracin, cisplatin, vancomycin, amphotericin B, polymyxin B, colistin and viomycin, should be avoided because the toxicity may be additive.
Source: FDA drug label (Neomycin Sulfate), Aldermed Inc., effective February 12, 2026 (SPL set 4978bb06-8b7c-9a44-e063-6294a90ac4cf), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the vancomycin label say about neomycin?
Vancomycin's label (effective June 7, 2024) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name neomycin in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Vancomycin Hydrochloride), Mylan Institutional LLC, effective June 7, 2024 (SPL set caf22ccb-df75-45ea-a1d0-ccb2d37272fb), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Neomycin | Vancomycin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Bacterial infections, Diarrhea |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.833 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $1.33 per capsule 125 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once