Brand Name
US Brand Name
Tobradex
Tobradex ST
Canadian Brand Name
Tobradex Ointment
Tobradex Suspension
Description
Dexamethasone and tobramycin eye drops is used to treat inflammation or swelling in the eye that is caused by a bacterial infection.
Dexamethasone and tobramycin eye drops is a combination of a steroid (dexamethasone) and an antibiotic (tobramycin). Dexamethasone reduces swelling and inflammation. Tobramycin works by killing the bacteria or preventing it from growing.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Suspension
- Ointment
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dexamethasone and tobramycin eye drops in children younger than 2 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dexamethasone and tobramycin eye drops in the elderly.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Ataluren
- Desmopressin
- Mifepristone
- Praziquantel
- Ranolazine
- Rilpivirine
- Zoliflodacin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Alcuronium
- Aldesleukin
- Alfentanil
- Amiodarone
- Amlodipine
- Apalutamide
- Artemether
- Aspirin
- Atogepant
- Atracurium
- Avacopan
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Benzhydrocodone
- Besifloxacin
- Boceprevir
- Bumetanide
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Carbamazepine
- Cariprazine
- Ceritinib
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cholestyramine
- Cidofovir
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cisatracurium
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Codeine
- Colistimethate Sodium
- Conivaptan
- Cosyntropin
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Daclatasvir
- Darunavir
- Decamethonium
- Desogestrel
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alcuronium
- Aminoglutethimide
- Aprepitant
- Atracurium
- Auranofin
- Caspofungin
- Cisplatin
- Fluindione
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Kratom
- Licorice
- Metocurine
- Netupitant
- Ospemifene
- Pancuronium
- Rifapentine
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Saiboku-To
- Vecuronium
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Cataract or
- Cornea (part of the eye) problems, history of or
- Glaucoma or
- Sclera (part of the eye) problems, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Cataract surgery—Use with caution. The eye insert may cause delayed healing and increase the risk of unwanted effects.
- Fungal (caused by a fungus) eye infection or
- Herpes simplex eye infection or
- Mycobacterial (tuberculosis) eye infection or
- Vaccinia (smallpox) eye infection or
- Varicella (chickenpox) eye infection—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.
To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your eye feels better.
To use the eye drops:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
- Shake the bottle well before each dose.
- Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space.
- Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eye. Do not blink. Keep the eye closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
- If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, repeat the process with another drop.
- To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
- For eye infections:
- Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Instill one drop in the affected eye every 4 to 6 hours. Your doctor may tell you to use the drops more often (one drop every 2 hours) during the first 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For eye infections:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Store the bottle upright.
Precautions
If you will be using this medicine for more than a few weeks, your eye doctor will check your eyes at regular visits to make sure it is working properly and is not causing unwanted effects.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your eye doctor.
Dexamethasone and tobramycin eye drops is not for long-term use. Steroid eye drops may cause glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) or posterior subcapsular cataracts (a rare type of cataract) if used too long. Slow or delayed healing may also occur while you are using this medicine after cataract surgery. You will need to have regular eye exams with your doctor to check for these problems.
Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine.
This medicine may cause blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Backache
- blurred or double vision
- chest tightness
- confusion
- cough
- difficulty in chewing or talking
- difficulty in walking
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- drooping eyelids
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of fullness in the ears
- fractures
- full or round face, neck, or trunk
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- increased thirst or urination
- irritability
- jaw pain
- loss of balance
- loss of hearing
- loss of sexual desire or ability
- loss of vision
- mask-like face
- menstrual irregularities
- muscle wasting or weakness
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes
- pain in the fingers and toes
- pain in the testicles
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- shuffling walk
- slowed movement
- stiffness of the arms and legs
- tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
- trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
- trouble breathing
- trouble in hearing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
DRG-80010477
