TobraDex Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

TobraDex Eye Drops combine tobramycin, an antibiotic, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, to treat bacterial infections and inflammation of the eye. The antibiotic works to kill the bacteria causing infection while the steroid reduces swelling, redness, and discomfort. It is available as eye drops or an ointment and is not recommended for use in children, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.

What is TobraDex Eye Drops

TobraDex Eye Drops contain tobramycin, an antibiotic, and dexamethasone, a steroid (corticosteroid). Together they treat inflammation and bacterial infections in the eye.

TobraDex Eye Drops uses

• Treats inflammation, corneal injury and bacterial infections in the external part of the eye
• Treats bacterial infections of the eyes
• Treats swelling associated with bacterial infections of the eye

Benefits of TobraDex Eye Drops

• Helps treat bacterial eye infections with associated inflammation.
• Reduces redness, swelling, itching, and irritation in the eye.
• Tobramycin helps kill susceptible bacteria causing the infection.
• Dexamethasone helps reduce inflammation and discomfort.
• Provides combined antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment in one eye-drop formulation.

How TobraDex Eye Drops works

The steroid part reduces swelling and inflammation in the eye by calming the immune response, while the antibiotic part kills the bacteria causing the infection.

TobraDex Eye Drops dosage

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using. Shake the bottle well before using. Tilt your head back and gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a pouch. Place the tip of the bottle close to your eye without letting it touch your eye. Release one drop into the pouch by gently tapping the base of the bottle; do not squeeze the bottle. Close your eye without blinking or rubbing it. Press your finger against the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about two minutes to stop the medicine draining into your tear duct. Wipe away any spillage on your cheek with a tissue. Replace the cap tightly right after use. Wash your hands again after using the drops.

Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops. Wait 15 minutes before putting soft contact lenses back in. Do not use for longer than your doctor tells you. Not for use in children, as safety and effectiveness have not been established in children. If using more than one drop in the same eye, leave about 5 minutes between drops (for the ointment form, allow at least 10 minutes before applying another eye medicine).

Available forms and strengths

• Eye drops (suspension)
• Ointment

Side effects of TobraDex Eye Drops

Common

• Eye irritation, itchiness or feeling of having something in the eye
• Eye pain
• Inflammation of the cornea (punctate keratitis)
• Swollen or itchy eyelids
• Eye redness
• Increased tearing or dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Drooping eyelid
• Dilated pupil
• Another (secondary) eye infection
• Changes to sensations of taste
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort
• Burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, eyelid itching, eyelid swelling, or sensitivity to light

Serious

• Formation of cataracts
• Raised pressure in the eye which may lead to headaches and disturbances of vision
• Slowed healing of the cornea
• Glaucoma with optic nerve damage (rare)
• Skin rash
• Swelling of the face, hands or feet
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Severe and sudden onset of pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin (hives or nettlerash)
• Shortness of breath
• Nerve damage in the eye from long-term use

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is not for use in children; its safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
• Do not use this medicine if you have an eye infection caused by a virus, fungus, or parasite.
• Do not use if you have had a foreign object removed from your eye.
• Do not put the eye drops in while wearing soft contact lenses, since the preservative can be deposited in the lenses; wait 15 minutes after using the drops before putting lenses back in.
• Do not use this medicine for longer than your doctor tells you, as this can increase the risk of side effects such as glaucoma, nerve damage in the eye, or cataracts.
• Long-term or intensive use may cause Cushing's syndrome (swelling and weight gain around the trunk and face) or cause your adrenal glands to stop working properly if stopped suddenly; talk to your doctor before stopping treatment.
• Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands, as this can contaminate the medicine and cause an eye infection.
• Tobradex Eye Drops are not recommended for pregnant women. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
• Tobradex is not recommended while breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
• Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Tobradex Eye Drops affect your vision, since temporary blurred vision can occur.

Storage

• Store at 8–27°C (46–80°F), or according to the specific product label.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed and upright when not in use.
• Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not freeze, and avoid touching the dropper tip to prevent contamination.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the eye drops and get medical help right away if you notice skin rash, swelling of the face, hands or feet, wheezing or difficulty breathing, sudden itchy skin swellings (hives), or shortness of breath, as these can be serious allergic reactions.
• Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within a few days or get worse.
• If you accidentally get too many drops in your eye, rinse the eye immediately with lukewarm water. If someone swallows the medicine, contact your doctor or poison control right away or go to the emergency department, even if there are no symptoms.

Alternatives

• Loteprednol Eye Drops
• Tobramycin Eye Drops
• Tobramycin/Loteprednol Eye Drops
• Maxitrol Eye Drops
• Zylet Eye Drops