Tobramycin
Introduction To Tobramycin
Tobramycin is an antibiotic medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye (e.g., conjunctivitis) and the eyelids (e.g., blepharitis). It may also help to prevent an infection after an eye injury or surgery.
Tobramycin stops the growth of bacteria and thereby helps to cure the underlying infection. Follow your doctor's instructions precisely for administering this medicine. Wait for at least 5 minutes before applying any other eye medication. It should be used regularly at evenly spaced time intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening.
Tobramycin will not work for eye infections that are not caused by bacteria (e.g., viral) and therefore, should only be used if prescribed by your doctor. Unnecessary use of any antibiotic can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness in the future.
Common side effects seen with this medicine include temporary eye irritation, burning sensation, itching, and redness after administration. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or if your condition worsens. It may cause some short-term blurring of vision when first used. Therefore, do not drive immediately after administering this medicine. Contact lenses should not be worn while you are using this medicine or while you have an active eye infection.
Uses of Tobramycin
- Treatment of Bacterial eye infections
Benefits of Tobramycin
Treatment of Bacterial eye infections
Tobramycin is an antibiotic medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the
bacteria that is causing the infection. It helps relieve symptoms such as
pain, redness, itching, or soreness caused due to eye infections. The dose and
duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your condition.
Make sure you complete the full course of treatment. This will ensure that the
infection is completely cured and prevent it from returning.
Side effects of Tobramycin
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Bricol
- Eye irritation
- Burning sensation
- Eye redness
- Eye itching
How to use Tobramycin
This medicine is for external use only. Take it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Hold the dropper close to the eye without touching it. Gently squeeze the dropper and place the medicine inside the lower eyelid. Wipe off extra liquid.
How Tobramycin works
Tobramycin is an antibiotic. It stops bacterial growth in the eye by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. This treats your eye infection.
Quick tips
- Your doctor has prescribed Tobramycin to treat bacterial infections of the eye.
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Tobramycin may cause damage to cornea on long-term use.
- Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute immediately after instilling the drop.
- Wait for at least 5-10 minutes before delivering the next medication in the same eye to avoid dilution.
- Stinging sensation may occur for 1-2 mins. Notify your doctor if it persists for longer.
- Make sure to use it within 4 weeks of opening the bottle.
- Can I stop taking Tobramycin when I feel better?
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Tobramycin may cause damage to cornea on long-term use.
- Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute immediately after instilling the drop.
- Wait for at least 5-10 minutes before delivering the next medication in the same eye to avoid dilution.
- Stinging sensation may occur for 1-2 mins. Notify your doctor if it persists for longer.
- Make sure to use it within 4 weeks of opening the bottle.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Tobramycin if I’m pregnant?
Tobramycin is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Tobramycin if I’m breastfeeding?
Tobramycin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
DrivingSAFE
Can I drive after taking Tobramycin?
Tobramycin does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Tobramycin have a steroid in it?
No, Tobramycin alone does not have steroids in it. It is an antibiotic, which means that it is effective against bacterial infections. It is not effective against viral or fungal infections and hence should not be used in these kinds of infections. Tobramycin may be combined with steroids such as dexamethasone.
Q. What bacteria does Tobramycin kill?
Tobramycin is effective against a wide range of bacteria. Tobramycin must be used only against susceptible bacteria. A whole gamut of bacteria that can be killed by Tobramycin includes S. Aureus and S. epidermidis, some species of Streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, most Proteus vulgaris strains, Haemophilus influenza, and H. aegyptius, Moraxella lacunata, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and some Neisseria species. Your doctor will evaluate whether this medicine is suitable for your condition.
Q. How long should you use Tobramycin?
The doctor will decide the duration of treatment which will depend on the severity of infection. For instance, if you have mild to moderate eye infection, your doctor will advise 1-2 eye drops, 4 times a day, usually. In severe infections, you may be prescribed 2 drops every hour. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You should use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Q. How should Tobramycin be used?
You should wash your hands before using the eye drops. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anywhere else. Tilt your head slightly and instill one drop. Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, avoid blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between the drops. Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.
Q. Is Tobramycin effective?
Tobramycin is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Tobramycin too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.
Q. What if I don't get better after using Tobramycin?
Inform your doctor if you don't feel better after finishing the full course of treatment. Also, inform the doctor if your symptoms are getting worse while using this medicine.
Q. Can I stop using Tobramycin when I feel better?
No, do not stop taking Tobramycin without consulting your doctor even if you are feeling better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cured. Therefore, for better and complete treatment, it is advised to continue your treatment for the prescribed duration.
Q. Does Tobramycin have a steroid in it?
No, Tobramycin alone does not have steroids in it. It is an antibiotic, which means that it is effective against bacterial infections. It is not effective against viral or fungal infections and hence should not be used in these kinds of infections. Tobramycin may be combined with steroids such as dexamethasone.
Q. What bacteria does Tobramycin kill?
Tobramycin is effective against a wide range of bacteria. Tobramycin must be used only against susceptible bacteria. A whole gamut of bacteria that can be killed by Tobramycin includes S. Aureus and S. epidermidis, some species of Streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, most Proteus vulgaris strains, Haemophilus influenza, and H. aegyptius, Moraxella lacunata, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and some Neisseria species. Your doctor will evaluate whether this medicine is suitable for your condition.
Q. How long should you use Tobramycin?
The doctor will decide the duration of treatment which will depend on the severity of infection. For instance, if you have mild to moderate eye infection, your doctor will advise 1-2 eye drops, 4 times a day, usually. In severe infections, you may be prescribed 2 drops every hour. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You should use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Q. How should Tobramycin be used?
You should wash your hands before using the eye drops. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anywhere else. Tilt your head slightly and instill one drop. Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, avoid blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between the drops. Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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