Tobramycin ophthalmic is used for the short-term treatment of bacterial infections of the eyes. Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, which acts to prevent the growth and multiplication of infecting bacteria.

Tobramycin Facts
Brand names (manufacturers): AK-Tob (Akron); tobramycin ophthalmic solution (various manufacturers); Tobrex (Alcon)

Type of drug: Ophthalmic antibiotic

Ingredient: Tobramycin

Dosage forms: Ophthalmic drops (0.3% tobramycin); ophthalmic ointment (0.3% tobramycin)

Storage: Store at room temperature in tightly closed containers. Discard any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Treatment

Wash your hands with soap and water before using tobramycin. To prevent contamination of the medicine, be careful not to touch the tube portion of the dropper and do not let it touch the eye.

Note that the bottle of the eyedrops is not completely full; this is to allow control of the number of drops used.

To apply the drops, tilt your head back and pull down the
lower eyelid with one hand to make a pouch below the eye. Drop the prescribed amount of tobramycin into the pouch and slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink. Keep your eyes
closed, and place one finger at the corner of the eye next to your nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (this
is done to prevent loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the eye into the nose and
throat). Then wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.

If you think that the medicine did not get into your eye, repeat the process once. If you are using more than one type of eyedrop, wait at least five minutes between doses of the two types of medication.

Follow the same general procedure for applying the ointment. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the prescribed amount of ointment in a line along the pouch below the eye. Close your eyes, and place your finger at the corner of the eye, near the nose, for a minute or two. Do not rub your eyes. Wipe off excess ointment and the tip of the tube with clean tissues.

Since applying tobramycin is somewhat difficult to do, you may want someone else to administer the drops or ointment for you.

If you miss a dose of tobramycin, insert the drops or apply the ointment as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next application, do not use the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.

It is important to continue to take tobramycin for the entire time prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear before the end of that period. If you stop applying tobramycin too soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur.

Side Effects

Minor: Blurred vision, burning, or stinging. These side effects should disappear as your body gets accustomed to tobramycin.

Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about disturbed or reduced vision; eye pain, itching, or swelling; severe irritation; or rash.

Interactions

Tobramycin should not interact with other medications as long as it is used according to directions.

Warnings

  • Tell your doctor about any reactions you have had to drugs, especially to tobramycin or to any other aminoglycoside antibiotic (amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, or streptomycin).

  • Before starting tobramycin (ophthalmic), tell your doctor if you now have or ever had fungal or viral infections of the eye, kidney disease, or myasthenia gravis.

  • If there is no change in your condition two or three days after starting to take tobramycin, contact your doctor. The drug may not be effective for your infection.

  • Tobramycin has been prescribed for your current infection only. A subsequent infection that you may develop, or one that someone else has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it to treat other infections unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.

  • To allow your eye infection to clear, do not apply makeup to the affected eye. Do not use these drops with contact lenses in place; discuss this with your doctor.

  • Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Extensive studies in pregnant women have not been conducted. Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of tobramycin may pass into the breast milk.